Overview

• Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago native and naturalized Peruvian citizen, was elected as Pope Leo XIV on May 6, 2025.
• His election marks the first time an American-born cardinal has ascended to the papacy, a significant milestone in Catholic Church history.
• Bay Area Catholics, including Peruvian diaspora communities, expressed pride and hope for his focus on social justice issues such as immigration and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
• Local church leaders emphasized his potential to connect with immigrant communities due to his Latin American pastoral experience.
• Parishioners are eager to see how Pope Leo XIV will build on Pope Francis's legacy of addressing pressing global and social issues.