Overview

• Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a former missionary in Peru and head of the Dicastery for Bishops, has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff in history.
• The choice of the name 'Leo XIV' references Pope Leo XIII, known for his foundational social justice encyclical 'Rerum Novarum', signaling a focus on workers' rights and Catholic social doctrine.
• In his inaugural speech, Pope Leo XIV emphasized peace, synodality, and gratitude to Pope Francis, indicating continuity with his predecessor's reformist agenda.
• Leo XIV wore traditional papal vestments, including the red mozzetta and ornate stole, blending a return to certain traditions with a progressive vision for the Church.
• His extensive curial experience and global perspective, shaped by decades in Peru, position him as a unifying figure in navigating the Church's internal and external challenges.