Pope Leo XIV Elected on Second Day of Conclave

Pope Leo XIV, aged 69, has been elected as the new Pope on the second day of the conclave’s deliberations. Born Robert Privast in Chicago on September 14, 1955, he was seen as a frontrunner to succeed Pope Francis following the latter’s passing last month. However, there were concerns regarding possible geopolitical implications relating to U.S. interests and the role of religious leaders.

Leo XIV was appointed by Francis and became the director of the bishop’s overseer in January 2023. Reports indicate that Leo closely aligns with the teachings of his predecessor, especially in embracing more inclusivity within the Catholic Church—this includes outreach to the poor and immigrants.

Before ascending to this high office, Leo entered the monastery of St. Augustine’s Order of St. Louis in 1977. He took strict vows in August 1981 and was ordained a priest by 1982. By 1985, he was already making significant contributions in Peru, notably as the prime minister of the Chulkanas territory for a year.

After a brief return to the U.S. in 1987, where he served as pastor and director of missions in Chicago, he returned to Peru in 1988 and spent another ten years leading the Augustine Seminary and teaching.

In fact, Leo’s leadership capabilities caught Francis’ eye; after becoming Pope, Francis appointed him back to Peru in 2014, where he held the role of administrator and later Archbishop of Chiclayo.

In his latter years in Peru, Leo was active in the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference, serving as vice-president from 2018 until 2023. Remarkably, he acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2015 before his move to the Vatican.

On May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, was announced to the world. His election is seen as a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church as it continues to grapple with modern challenges.