After a long expectation, the conclave defined this Thursday who will be the Successor of Pope Francisthe Argentine pontiff who died last April 21. Before more than 40,000 people gathered in the Plaza de San Pedro, the name of the Cardinal was exclaimed Robert Francis Prevost as New world Catholic Church representative.
Prevost, 69 -year -old Americanit was elected past noon (time of Argentina) by the Cardinal College of the Catholic Church, which is summoned when the highest authority of the Vatican dies. Cardinal Protodiácono, Frenchman Dominique Mamberti announced his appointment with the traditional Latin formula ‘We have a pope‘From the balcony of the Basilica of San Pedro.
It will be called XIV lion during his pontificate, as announced after his choice on the second day of his conclave.
Leo XIV will be the 267 Pontiff of Historyhappening to Francisco (2013-2025), who died with 88 years of age. Your choice is also produced in full jubilee or holy year convened by Francisco and must close on January 6, 2026.
Among those who were outlined to succeed Jorge Mario Bergoglio appear progressive, moderate and conservative. What is known about the new protagonist of this religious institution?
Robert Francis Prevost He was born in the American city of ChicagoIllinois, but lived more than 18 years in Peru. He arrived in the South American country in a Augustinian mission In 1985, just three years after ordering priest, and returned in 1988 to direct the Augustinian Seminary of the Northern City of Trujillo for ten years.
November 3, 2014 Francisco had appointed him Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayoand later, in 2015, bishop.
For his years of work in the South American country he obtained the Peruvian nationality In 2015, according to the National Identity Registry (RENIEC). Peruvian was nationalized to fulfill one of the concordats between the Holy See and Peru.
He was also part of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference (CEP) between 2018 and 2023, of which he was second vice president, and was Apostolic Administrator of Callao, the port province attached to Lima, between 2020 and 2021.
This Thursday, May 8, 2025 Prevost reaches the throne of San Pedro with a Pastoral inclination, global perspective y Ability to govern the Vatican Curia. His reputation of moderate and of Bridge builder It will also be crucial at a time when the Church appears very divided.
The Italian newspaper the repubblica called him “the least American of the Americans” for the moderation of his words. The idea of an American Pope was for centuries discarded in Rome. According to the Crux specialized site, having a pontiff of the first world power also feed that the CIA could put their hands in the church.
After Francisco’s deathPrevost said that There was still “much to do” in the transformation of the Church.
“We cannot stop, we cannot go back. We have to see how the Holy Spirit wants the Church to be today and tomorrow, because The world today, in which the Church lives, It is not the same as the world of 10 or 20 years ago“He told Vatican News last month.
“The message is always the same: proclaim to Jesus Christ, proclaim the gospel, but The way to reach today’s people, Young people, the poor, politicians, is different“He added.
