For over an hour, the world stared at the balcony of the Basilica of St. Piotr. The new pope had to write his speech first – as it turned out later, on the pages from the notebook.
Prevost, born on September 14, 1955 in Chicago, was the prefect of Dikasteria for bishops – that is, the head of the Catholic Church. His roots date back to Latin America. As a young Augustian, he worked in Peru for decades, where he was valued as a shepherd close to people and with a sense of justice. There he founded parishes and ran the seminary. In 2015, Pope Francis appointed him bishop Chiclayo, a diocese in the north of the country.
Leon XIV for the first time turned to the faithful from the central loggia of the Basilica of St. Piotr. “Let the room with you,” he said to the cheering crowd of the faithful. Then he thanked his predecessor, Francis. The 69-year-old will be the first American to lead the Catholic Church.
Prevost grew up in a family with French-Spanish-Italian roots. First he studied mathematics, but in 1977 he joined the Augustinian order. He was ordained a priest in Rome in 1982. Later he obtained a doctorate in canon law there.
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him to a key position. As a missionary in Peru, later the Prior General of the Augustians, and ultimately the prefect in the Vatican, so far focused on pastoral care, church almost and internal administration of the Church.
Pope Francis met Prevosta in Peru, and later brought him to the Vatican. The American is not considered a trusted collaborator of the US President Donald Trump.
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He is known for his diplomatic balance between conservative and progressive forces in the Church. The choice of prevost is interpreted as a more global sign, less concentrated in Europe, the direction of the Church – that's why he was considered a compromise candidate among all clergy candidates in the election.
“Is a very sensitive person”
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, despite the high -ranking position held before election to the pope, was considered by the media as a person “from the outside” the center of power in the Vatican.
It is believed that prevost has moderate views, but is progressive in many social issues. It is said that he is a central and pragmatic man who can mediate between different currents in the American church.
He is sensitive to social and cultural issues. It is suspected that he will continue the dialogue line of Franciszek's pontificate.
Gabriel Bouys / AFP / AFP
New Pope Robert Prevost, who took the name Leon XIV, on the balcony of the Basilica of St. Piotr in the Vatican, May 8, 2025.
The choice of prevost is perceived as a compromise – and at the same time as a signal of unity in the Church, which would indicate a quick ending of the conclave. It combines American roots, Latin American influences and the experience of working in Rome. In this way he became the most optimal candidate for the cardinal college, which had to overcome cultural and church differences.
Politico, citing its sources in the Vatican, reported that during the last few general assemblies, the mood of support for the candidate continuing Francis' policy, who will insist on the policy of tolerance to LGBTQ+ and other marginalized groups, and more importantly, will give greater freedom of clergy from the global south, where the number of church members is growing quickly.
Like Franciszek, Prevost puts great emphasis on supporting marginalized groups.
“He is a very sensitive person and ensures that everyone can express their opinion,” said Pope Francis about Prevost.
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