On May 8, 2025, a significant event took place in the history of the world and the Catholic Church.
Robert Prevost, a cardinal who had served for two years, was elected Pope of the Vatican and the universal Church. According to the New York Post, he became the first American Pope.

Following the death of Pope Francis, both the Church and the world mourned his passing. The election of Pope Leo XIV occurred after a conclave that began on May 7, 2025, when the cardinals of the Catholic Church gathered at the Vatican. They remained there for several nights before electing the new pope.

Pope Leo XIV has many connections to the United States. He is originally from Chicago and lived in North America, where he also attended college, before continuing his work overseas.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, held the office from 2013 until his death in 2025. He was the first Jesuit pope and the first pope from the Americas. While he was widely respected, some conservative factions within the Church criticized his progressive views on issues such as divorce and homosexuality.

Pope Leo XIV, by taking the name Leo, pays tribute to Pope Leo XIII, who was well-known over a century ago for his revolutionary ideas. In his first address as pope from St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo XIV emphasized compassion, unity, and a renewed focus on spiritual healing in a divided world. He said, “We have to walk together, listening to the Spirit and to each other deeply.” In that same speech, he called for global peace, a resurgence of faith, and care for the most vulnerable people on the planet.

According to Mr. Adar, the pope’s name is chosen through a traditional process by members of the Church.

There are notable differences between Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, particularly in their views on homosexuality. Pope Francis believed that being gay was acceptable within the Church, and he worked to foster a message of inclusion and compassion. In contrast, Pope Leo XIV holds a more traditional stance, maintaining that homosexuality is not consistent with Church teachings.

Interestingly, Pope Leo XIV has ancestral ties to Pope Leo XIII and family roots in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, often referred to as “Old NOLA.”