We have a new pope, Pope Leo XIV

American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost
POPE LEO XIV

The Vatican announced the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church, shortly after white smoke began pouring from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was born September 14, 1955 (age 69) in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., the son of a French/Italian father Louis Marius Prevost and mother Mildred Martinez of Spanish descent.

Ordained as a priest for the Order of Saint Augustine in 1982.

Spent many years as a missionary in Peru before being elected head of the Augustinians for two consecutive terms.

Created Cardinal by Pope Francis on September 30, 2023.

Education

• Villanova University (Villanova, PA)
• Catholic Theological Union (Chicago, IL)
• Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Rome, Italy)

Besides his native language English, Prevost can speak Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, and can read Latin and German.

Previous post(s)

• Prior General of the Augustinians (2001–2013)
• Titular Bishop of Sufar (2014–2015)
• Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo (2014–2015) (Peru)
• Bishop of Chiclayo (2015–2023) (Peru)
• President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America
• Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Monica (2023–2025)
• Cardinal-Bishop of Albano (2025)

Statement of Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly Following the Election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

“The Knights of Columbus joins Catholics everywhere in celebrating the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the successor of St. Peter and spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. On behalf of our 2.1 million members around the world, I pledge our loyalty to Pope Leo XIV as well as our prayers today and every day of his pontificate. The Knights of Columbus will always stand in solidarity with Pope Leo XIV as we support the Church’s mission of evangelization through our works of charity and faith formation.

“Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, assumes the Petrine ministry with a strong familiarity with the Knights of Columbus. I was honored to meet with him in 2023, shortly after the beginning of his tenure as Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, and I know firsthand of his sincere appreciation for the Knights of Columbus and our service to the Church around the world. Our Order began during the pontificate of Pope Leo XIII — and in the years ahead, we will proudly stand with Pope Leo XIV as we seek together to build up the Kingdom of God.

“Since our founding in 1882 by Blessed Michael McGivney, fidelity to the Holy Father has been a defining characteristic of the Knights of Columbus. As it was with his predecessors, the pastoral priorities of Pope Leo XIV will guide and inform everything we do.”

Following the First World War, the Knights of Columbus answered the invitation of Pope Benedict XV to open sports fields to serve the youth of Rome. And ever since, for more than a century, the Knights has enjoyed a long and enduring relationship with each successive Pope. Since 1980, the Knights of Columbus has sponsored numerous restoration projects at the Vatican, most recently the restoration of Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s iconic Baldacchino over the papal altar and tomb of St. Peter, as well as the Chair of St. Peter monument, both undertaken in anticipation of the Jubilee Year 2025.