In a historic first, the Catholic Church has elected a pope from the United States. Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago-born missionary and senior Vatican official, was named the 267th pontiff on Thursday evening, May 8, 2025 (Philippine time), taking the papal name Pope Leo XIV.

The 69-year-old appeared on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica to the cheers of thousands gathered in the square, wearing the traditional red mozzetta — a cape Pope Francis had declined upon his own election in 2013. In his first words as pope, he simply said, “Peace be with you,” before offering a message rooted in peace, dialogue, and missionary evangelisation. He spoke in Italian and Spanish, but not in English.

Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV spent much of his ecclesial life in Peru as a missionary and bishop before leading the global Order of Saint Augustine. He later served in Rome as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican department responsible for selecting bishops around the world — a position that placed him at the heart of Church leadership.

His election, following the conclave convened after Pope Francis’s passing, is considered a historic turning point for the global Church, long led by pontiffs from Europe and Latin America.

When Pope Leo XIV Visited Cebu in 2004

Filipinos were quick to recall their personal connections with the new pope.

The Santo Niño de Cebu Parish in Barangay Mohon, Talisay City, shared throwback photos of then-Bishop Prevost during his 2004 visit to the parish.

At the time serving as Prior General of the Augustinian Order, Prevost led the dedication of a new residence for friars and ministered to the local faithful.

“Pope Leo XIV solemnly led the Augustinian friars and the faithful in dedicating the new residence, which was entrusted to the pastoral care of those called to proclaim the Gospel in the city,” the parish wrote in a statement.

Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass is expected in the coming days, as Catholics across the world look toward the future of a Church now led by its first American pope.

📷 Augustinian Province of Mother of Good Counsel