Overview
- Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old from Chicago, was elected as Pope Leo XIV, the first American to hold the papacy.
- In his first address, he called for global peace, unity, and dialogue, urging the faithful to build bridges and work together as one people.
- Pope Leo XIV paid homage to his predecessor, Pope Francis, and highlighted his Augustinian roots and commitment to a missionary Church.
- The choice of the name Leo XIV reflects a tribute to Leo XIII and his Rerum Novarum encyclical, emphasizing workers' rights and social justice.
- World leaders, including Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Vladimir Putin, extended congratulations, each highlighting hopes for dialogue and collaboration.