Overview

• Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, was elected on May 8, becoming the first American pope in Catholic Church history.
• In his first audience with cardinals, he emphasized artificial intelligence as a critical issue affecting human dignity, justice, and labor, likening it to the challenges of the Industrial Revolution.
• Leo XIV signaled his intent to continue the priorities of Pope Francis, including inclusivity, social justice, and attention to marginalized communities.
• He chose the name Leo XIV to honor Pope Leo XIII, known for pioneering Catholic social teaching and advocating workers' rights.
• The pope faces scrutiny over allegations of clerical abuse cover-ups, which he has denied, as calls for accountability within the Church persist.