“Extra Omnes.” This is the famous Latin phrase, which roughly translates to “everyone out,” spoken by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, beginning the sacred Papal Conclave on May 7, 2025. Two days and four votes later, white smoke poured out from the chimney connected to the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new Pope.
As Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and read out the sacred words, “Habemus Papam,” many were surprised to hear this too: “Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Prevost” (Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Prevost). Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States, now Pope Leo XIV, joined Cardinal Mamberti on the
balcony, and greeted 150,000 of the faithful.
So, who exactly is His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV? Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. As a young man, Prevost studied at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers and then at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where he studied philosophy and also attained a degree in mathematics in 1977. In September of the same year, Prevost joined the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) in Saint Louis, in the Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Chicago.
After being sent by his superiors to Rome to study canon law (at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas), Prevost was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982. Prevost was then sent to Peru, where he joined the mission of Trujillo. Over eleven years, Prevost served many roles dedicated to serving the poor before working his way up to bishop and later cardinal (as appointed by Pope Francis in 2023).
Pope Leo XIV now stands as the 267th successor of St. Peter, and he takes the name of Pope Leo XIII, who was known for his contributions to Catholic social teachings. Additionally, Pope Leo XIV is the first pope from the United States in the history of the church, which can mean many things for the U.S. Already, many are viewing the election of an American pontiff as a choice by the Holy See to push back against the authoritarianism that takes place here in the U.S.
“The dignity of migrants must be respected,” Pope Leo XIV affirmed on May 16, 2025, already asserting his stance against beliefs currently present in the U.S. Head of State.
In recent years, the U.S. has been divided by politics, and many are hoping that someone so influential, such as Pope Leo XIV, could bring a sense of unity back to this country as an American himself. Whatever the reason may be, as people begin to learn more about this new pontiff, many are already making connections to His Holiness, even those here at Loyola.
“I’m really excited. I mean, I went to Loyola Chicago, so the fact that he was from Chicago is really exciting,” exclaimed Mr. Shawver, a Theology 2 and 3 teacher here at Loyola.
Shawver also went on to discuss the importance of an English-speaking Pope: “I think [having an English-speaking Pope] will be really great for the United States Church and the English speaking world…They can hear him in their native language and not have to worry about translation.”
As Pope Leo XIV approaches a month as Supreme Pontiff, he has already begun his work, which he has been called to do by the Holy Spirit. The Pontiff has already pledged to continue the reforms initiated by Pope Francis, addressed the College of Cardinals, set dates to canonize soon-to-be saints, and met with other important figures (including Volodymyr Zelenskyy & Bartholomew I), and continued to spread “The Gospel promise of true and lasting peace.”
