Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV today.
Prevost is a Chicago native and a member of the Augustinian order. His diocese and his pastoral work has largely been in Peru, where he is a naturalized citizen. His initial comments on accepting the papacy, given in Italian and Spanish, commemorated the role of Francis and indicated he would be following in his path. His message was focused on the importance of peace—and love. He gave a special greeting in Spanish to his Peruvian diocese. Francis, who also served the church in Ibero-America, brought Prevost to Rome to be in charge of the appointment of bishops. This factor was probably not overlooked by the College of Cardinals.
His choice of name harkens back to Leo XIII, the great reformer of the Church in the 19th Century. Leo was also the Pope who changed the Church’s attitude to labor unions and the workers’ movement.
