The American cardinal with Peruvian nationality, Robert Prevosthe was chosen as the New Pope of the Catholic churchafter a day and a half of conclave, in the city of the Vatican, in Roma.
The new Supreme Pontiff was created Cardinal by the papa Francisco On September 30, 2023, with the title of Cardinal Deacon of Santa Monica. Then, on February 6, 2025, it was promoted to the order of the bishops of the Cardenalicio College. In this way, the suburbicaria headquarters of Albano.
Before the conclave began, on Tuesday, May 6, it was speculated that Prevost He was one of the consensus candidates, someone who was related to Francisco, and who was liked by the different cardinal currents.
In the Vatican, Prevost had occupied positions of great relevance. Since January 2023, he served as Prefect of the DICASTERY FOR BISKS and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin Americapositions that placed it at the head of crucial decisions, such as the evaluation and recommendation of candidates for the episcopate. In addition, their experience as a global superior of the Augustinians underlines their leadership capacity within the Church.
Robert Prevostborn in Chicago In 1955, he has become the first American Pope in history by being chosen as XIV lionAs CNN reported. His choice marks a milestone in the Catholic Church, highlighting its extensive experience in both the Vatican and in Latin America, especially in Peruwhere he worked for decades in missions and religious formation.
Prevost, member of the San Agustín Orderentered this congregation in 1977 and was ordered priest in 1982. Subsequently, he obtained a doctorate in canon law in Rome, which cemented his academic and pastoral profile.
-during his time in Peru, he played a key role in the formation of Augustinian applicants and ecclesiastical administration. He was appointed bishop of Chiclayo In 2015 and, three years later, he assumed the position of second vice president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference. In 2020, Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Administrator of Callaoconsolidating its influence in the region.
In March 2018, The bishop He was appointed as the second vice president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conferenceconsolidating its influence within the Catholic Church in the country. This appointment marked a new milestone in the trajectory of a religious who has dedicated decades to pastoral service and the formation of future priests, both in Peru and in its place of origin, the United States.
According to the data collected, his link with Peru began in 1988, when he was sent to the mission of Trujillo as director of a joint training project for Augustinian applicants in vicariates of Chulucanas, Iquitos y Apurímac.
During his time in the city, he assumed multiple responsibilities, including community prior positions between 1988 and 1992, training director from 1988 to 1998 and teacher of professors from 1992 to 1998. In addition, in the Trujillo Archdiocesehe played the role of Vicar Judicial for almost a decade, from 1989 to 1998, and was a professor of Canon Law at the Major Seminary “San Carlos and San Marcelo”.
He Pope Leo XIVduring his presentation, he sent a message loaded with emotion by remembering his link with the Perucountry where he developed a significant part of his pastoral work.
In his first speech as leader of the Catholic churchhighlighted its connection with the Diocese of Chiclayoplace that deeply marked his career and where he was bishop. From Rome, he said: “A particular greeting to my dear Diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, where a faithful people have accompanied his bishop, shared his faith and has given so much to remain a faithful church of Jesus Christ.”
