Fri May 09 08:22:23 UTC 2025: ## American Cardinal Elected First North American Pope
**Vatican City** – In a historic election, Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago-born Augustinian missionary and Peruvian citizen, has been elected Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first North American to lead the Catholic Church. The 69-year-old’s election, announced Thursday, May 8, 2025, surprised many due to the longstanding unspoken taboo against a US Pope.
Pope Leo XIV’s election signals a potential shift in the Church’s direction. His choice of the name “Leo,” echoing Pope Leo XIII, known for his social justice reforms, suggests a continuation of Pope Francis’ progressive agenda. Indeed, Leo XIV has already emphasized the Church’s need to be a “missionary church” focused on building bridges and inclusivity.
Prevost, who served as head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, has a reputation for dedication and reform. His experience as a missionary and bishop in Peru, where he is revered for his humanitarian work, further cemented his credentials. His appointment to the cardinalate earlier this year by Pope Francis highlighted him as a leading contender for the papacy.
The new Pope’s election has been met with enthusiastic approval globally. US President Donald Trump expressed his pride and surprise at the choice, while Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I expressed hope for continued cooperation between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Within the Catholic Church, the election is viewed with a mixture of excitement and anticipation, particularly concerning the future of the often-divided US Catholic community. Some experts believe Leo XIV’s papacy could bring a new era of American Catholicism to the forefront of the global Church. His first Mass was celebrated on Friday, May 9, 2025, and his early schedule includes an audience with the media and a potential trip to Turkey later this month.
First Piper 