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Who is Robert Prevost, the new Pope Leo XIV and first American pope? Who is Robert Prevost, the new Pope Leo XIV and first American pope?
(about 3 hours later)
Pope Leo XIV has supported his predecessor - and attention will focus on his early actionsPope Leo XIV has supported his predecessor - and attention will focus on his early actions
Even before his name was announced from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, the crowds below were chanting "Viva il Papa" - Long live the Pope.Even before his name was announced from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, the crowds below were chanting "Viva il Papa" - Long live the Pope.
Robert Francis Prevost, 69, will be the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter and he will be known as Leo XIV. Robert Francis Prevost, 69, has become the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter and he will be known as Leo XIV.
He is the first American to fill the role of pope, although he is considered as much a cardinal from Latin America because of the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru.He is the first American to fill the role of pope, although he is considered as much a cardinal from Latin America because of the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru.
Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, Prevost served as an altar boy and was ordained in 1982. Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, Leo served as an altar boy and was ordained in 1982.
Although he moved to Peru three years later, he returned regularly to the US to serve as a pastor and a prior in his home city.Although he moved to Peru three years later, he returned regularly to the US to serve as a pastor and a prior in his home city.
He has Peruvian nationality and is fondly remembered as a figure who worked with marginalised communities and helped build bridges.He has Peruvian nationality and is fondly remembered as a figure who worked with marginalised communities and helped build bridges.
He spent 10 years as a local parish pastor and as a teacher at a seminary in Trujillo in north-western Peru.He spent 10 years as a local parish pastor and as a teacher at a seminary in Trujillo in north-western Peru.
Pope Leo XIV calls Church 'a beacon to illuminate dark nights' in first MassPope Leo XIV calls Church 'a beacon to illuminate dark nights' in first Mass
Pope Leo XIV's first speech in fullPope Leo XIV's first speech in full
Pope Leo's first public address from the Vatican balcony - watch in fullPope Leo's first public address from the Vatican balcony - watch in full
In his first words as Pope, Leo XIV spoke fondly of his predecessor Francis. In his first words as Pope, Leo spoke fondly of his predecessor Francis.
"We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us," he said."We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us," he said.
"United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together," he told cheering crowds."United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together," he told cheering crowds.
Cardinal Prevost shares a quiet moment with Pope Francis (R) in February 2025Cardinal Prevost shares a quiet moment with Pope Francis (R) in February 2025
The Pope also spoke of his role in the Augustinian Order.The Pope also spoke of his role in the Augustinian Order.
In 2014, Francis made him Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru.In 2014, Francis made him Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru.
He is well known to cardinals because of his high-profile role as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Latin America which has the important task of selecting and supervising bishops.He is well known to cardinals because of his high-profile role as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Latin America which has the important task of selecting and supervising bishops.
He became archbishop in January 2023 and within a few months Francis made him a cardinal.He became archbishop in January 2023 and within a few months Francis made him a cardinal.
Watch: Oh my God, it's Rob! - Pope's brother speaks of joy
Analysis: Continuity the key for Pope seen as unifier in the Church
Reaction: 'I flipped out, I said no way!' - Chicago celebrates hometown Pope
'God loves Peru': Country celebrates new Pope as one of their own
From white smoke to balcony speech, watch Pope Leo XIV unveiled as new pontiffFrom white smoke to balcony speech, watch Pope Leo XIV unveiled as new pontiff
What are Pope Leo's views?What are Pope Leo's views?
Early attention will focus on Leo XIV's pronouncements to see whether he will continue his predecessor's reforms in the Roman Catholic Church.Early attention will focus on Leo XIV's pronouncements to see whether he will continue his predecessor's reforms in the Roman Catholic Church.
Prevost is believed to have shared Francis' views on migrants, the poor and the environment. The new pontiff is believed to have shared Francis' views on migrants, the poor and the environment.
A former roommate of his, Reverend John Lydon, described Prevost to the BBC as "outgoing", "down to earth" and "very concerned with the poor". A former roommate of his, Reverend John Lydon, described Leo to the BBC as "outgoing", "down to earth" and "very concerned with the poor".
On his personal background, Prevost told Italian network Rai before his election that he grew up in a family of immigrants. On his personal background, Leo told Italian network Rai before his election that he grew up in a family of immigrants.
"I was born in the United States... But my grandparents were all immigrants, French, Spanish... I was raised in a very Catholic family, both of my parents were very engaged in the parish," he said."I was born in the United States... But my grandparents were all immigrants, French, Spanish... I was raised in a very Catholic family, both of my parents were very engaged in the parish," he said.
Although Prevost was born in the US, the Vatican described him as the second pope from the Americas (Francis was from Argentina). Although Leo was born in the US, the Vatican described him as the second pope from the Americas (Francis was from Argentina).
In recent months, he appears to have challenged the views of US Vice-President JD Vance.In recent months, he appears to have challenged the views of US Vice-President JD Vance.
A social media account in his name reposted a social media post on X that was critical of the Trump administration's deportation of a US resident to El Salvador, and it shared a critical comment piece written about a TV interview given by Vance to Fox News. A social media account in his name shared a social media post on X that was critical of the Trump administration's deportation of a US resident to El Salvador.
The account also shared a critical comment piece written about a TV interview by Vance.
"JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others," read the post, repeating the headline from the commentary on the National Catholic Reporter website."JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others," read the post, repeating the headline from the commentary on the National Catholic Reporter website.
The BBC asked the Vatican to confirm the account was his, but has not received a response. The BBC asked the Vatican to confirm the account was Leo's, but has not received a response.
During his time in Peru, Prevost was unable to escape the sexual abuse scandals that have clouded the Church, even though his diocese has fervently denied he has been involved in any attempted cover-up. While the Pope was a bishop in Chiclayo, Peru, three women accused his diocese of not properly investigating their allegations that they were sexually abused by a local priest as children. They raised their claims in 2022, which dated back to 2007.
In choosing the name Leo, Prevost has signified a commitment to dynamic social issues, according to experts. The diocese denied this and said an investigation was opened, but was closed in 2023 by the ecclesiastical district and the Vatican after a local prosecutor said there was not enough evidence to support the civil claim.
The first pontiff to use the name Leo, whose papacy ended in 461, met Attila the Hun and persuaded him not to attack Rome. The last Pope Leo led the Church from 1878 to 1903 and wrote an influential treatise on workers' rights. An investigation by the prosecutor was reopened after media reports about the case and the BBC understands it is ongoing.
The BBC spoke in Chiclayo to Jesus Leon Angeles, who supports the parish where the accused priest works.
She said while the parish was "in defence of women", it was also "in defence of the truth" and claimed the allegations were part of a "campaign" against Leo when he became a cardinal in Rome.
Watch: Oh my God, it's Rob! - Pope's brother speaks of joy
Analysis: Continuity the key for Pope seen as unifier in the Church
Reaction: 'I flipped out, I said no way!' - Chicago celebrates hometown Pope
'God loves Peru': Country celebrates new Pope as one of their own
In choosing his papal name, Leo has signified a commitment to dynamic social issues, according to experts.
The first pontiff to use the name Leo, whose papacy ended in 461, met Attila the Hun and persuaded him not to attack Rome.
The last Pope Leo led the Church from 1878 to 1903 and wrote an influential treatise on workers' rights.
Former Archbishop of Boston Seán Patrick O'Malley wrote on his blog that the new pontiff "has chosen a name widely associated with the social justice legacy of Pope Leo XIII, who was pontiff at a time of epic upheaval in the world, the time of the industrial revolution, the beginning of Marxism, and widespread immigration".Former Archbishop of Boston Seán Patrick O'Malley wrote on his blog that the new pontiff "has chosen a name widely associated with the social justice legacy of Pope Leo XIII, who was pontiff at a time of epic upheaval in the world, the time of the industrial revolution, the beginning of Marxism, and widespread immigration".
The new Pope's LGBT views are unclear, but some groups, including the conservative College of Cardinals, believe he may be less supportive than Francis.The new Pope's LGBT views are unclear, but some groups, including the conservative College of Cardinals, believe he may be less supportive than Francis.
Leo XIV has shown support for a declaration from Francis to permit blessings for same-sex couples and others in "irregular situations", although he has added that bishops must interpret such directives in accordance with local contexts and cultures.Leo XIV has shown support for a declaration from Francis to permit blessings for same-sex couples and others in "irregular situations", although he has added that bishops must interpret such directives in accordance with local contexts and cultures.
Speaking last year about climate change, Cardinal Prevost said that it was time to move "from words to action".Speaking last year about climate change, Cardinal Prevost said that it was time to move "from words to action".
He called on mankind to build a "relationship of reciprocity" with the environment.He called on mankind to build a "relationship of reciprocity" with the environment.
And he has spoken about concrete measures at the Vatican, including the installation of solar panels and the adoption of electric vehicles.And he has spoken about concrete measures at the Vatican, including the installation of solar panels and the adoption of electric vehicles.
Pope Leo XIV has supported Pope Francis' decision to allow women to join the Dicastery for Bishops for the first time. Pope Leo XIV has supported Pope Francis' decision to allow women for the first time to join the Dicastery for Bishops, an administrative body that identifies and recommends future bishops to the Holy See.
"On several occasions we have seen that their point of view is an enrichment," he told Vatican News in 2023."On several occasions we have seen that their point of view is an enrichment," he told Vatican News in 2023.
In 2024, he told the Catholic News Service that women's presence "contributes significantly to the process of discernment in looking for who we hope are the best candidates to serve the Church in episcopal ministry".In 2024, he told the Catholic News Service that women's presence "contributes significantly to the process of discernment in looking for who we hope are the best candidates to serve the Church in episcopal ministry".