In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the first U.S.-born pope. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, the 69-year-old Chicago native addressed tens of thousands from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, calling for global peace and honoring his predecessor, the late Pope Francis.

Pope Leo XIV brings with him a wealth of international experience. A dual citizen of the United States and Peru, he spent much of his life as a missionary in South America and served as a bishop in Peru. Most recently, he headed the influential Vatican office responsible for appointing bishops — a role that positioned him at the heart of church governance. His election signals a likely continuation of Pope Francis' reformist legacy.

Leo's brother, John Prevost, said he believes the new pontiff will follow in Francis' footsteps. “I think he’ll work for the underprivileged,” he told WBBM, describing Pope Leo as someone with "a deep feeling for the disenfranchised, for the poor, for those who were not listened to."

As a cardinal, Pope Leo XIV was known for his nuanced views on the Church’s evolving roles. In 2023, he addressed the topic of women's ordination during a Vatican synod where, for the first time, Pope Francis allowed women to participate and vote. Speaking to reporters, Prevost said that ordaining women — often referred to as “clericalizing women” — may not be the right solution to challenges facing the Church.

“Ordaining women doesn’t necessarily solve a problem; it might create a new one,” he said, as reported by the Catholic News Agency. However, he acknowledged the growing leadership roles women are assuming in the Church, adding, “We may need to develop a new understanding of leadership, power, authority, and service — especially service — that draws from both women’s and men’s contributions to the Church.”

The election of Pope Leo XIV has sparked celebration across the United States. Former President Barack Obama shared his congratulations on X (formerly Twitter), writing:

“Michelle and I send our congratulations to a fellow Chicagoan, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith.”

Democratic Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia, who represents parts of Chicago including Cook County, also expressed his joy:

“I am rejoiced by the election of a fellow Chicagoan and honorary St. Rita High School Mustang as the new leader of the Catholic Church. As an immigrant, I’m encouraged by Cardinal Prevost’s commitment to defending immigrants, the poor, and the environment.”

As Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy, many around the world, both inside and outside the Church, will be watching closely to see how he navigates the challenges of faith, reform, and global leadership.