In a historic moment that resonates through the corridors of the Vatican and beyond, Pope Leo XIV emerged on May 8, 2025, as the 266th successor of Peter the Apostle and Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. His election marks not only a transition in leadership but a remarkable story of transformation, service, and graceful elevation within the Church’s hierarchy. This is also a reminder to the faithful that, truly, a lot can transpire when human efforts find God’s favour.
Who is Pope XIV?
Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. The new Pope makes history as the first American to occupy the Chair of Saint Peter. Even more significantly, he is also the first member of the Augustinian order to become pope. His journey from missionary work in the heartlands of Peru to the spiritual helm of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide is both inspiring and deeply symbolic.
His early ministry was rooted in a deep commitment to missionary work. After his ordination as a priest on June 19, 1982, he rose to become the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine from 2001 to 2013. He equally served extensively in Peru, eventually becoming Bishop of Chiclayo in 2014. From there, his ascent was rapid: vice-president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference in 2018, key roles in Vatican congregations by 2019 and 2020, and in 2023, appointed as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. On September 30, 2023, he was made a cardinal by Pope Francis, and in less than two years, the white smoke signalled his election as the Vicar of Christ.
Choice of Leo His papal name, Leo XIV, is steeped in historical weight and spiritual resonance. Though popes are under no obligation to explain the names they choose, the symbolism often offers clues to their papal vision. Pope Leo XIV follows a tradition dating back to St. Leo the Great (440–461 AD), a towering theological figure known for championing peace and doctrinal clarity. In his Famous Leo’s Tome, he made significant contribution to the Council of Chalcedon that Jesus Christ is both fully human and fully divine. 13 other popes have chosen the name Leo, the last being Leo XIII, elected in 1878, famed for his social justice encyclical Rerum Novarum, which advocated for the rights of workers and the poor.
In adopting this name, Pope Leo XIV may be indicating his intention to uphold and expand the Church’s doctrinal and social teachings, especially in continuity with Pope Francis’s legacy of mercy, inclusion, and outreach to the poor. In his inaugural address, he paid heartfelt tribute to his predecessor, saying:
Legacy of Pope Francis and Saint Augustine
“Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter. Allow me to continue that same blessing.”
Pope Leo XIV's Augustinian identity might also play a central role in his vision. He has described himself as a “son of Saint Augustine,” echoing the words of the early Church Father: “With you I am a Christian, for you a bishop.” His call for synodality, unity, and dialogue strongly reflects this Augustinian spirit—a Church that listens, walks together, and welcomes all, regardless of background or affiliation.
Pope Leo XIV and Africa
His election has generated global interest, including across Africa, where 20% of the world's Catholics reside. A Vatican report reveals a continued growth in the Catholic population in Africa, from 272 million in 2022 to 281 million in 2023. In Nigeria, home to one of the fastest-growing Catholic populations, Pope Leo XIV's focus on synodality and social justice may find strong resonance. His pastoral priorities appear to be aligned with the concerns of the Church in the African community: dialogue, justice, and mission.
Providence at play
As Pope Leo XIV’s papacy unfolds, his antecedents underscore the guiding hand of providence. Within a single decade, he journeyed as a bishop from the peripheries of Peru to the centre of Catholic governance in Rome. It is a testament to his spiritual depth, administrative acumen, and the confidence Pope Francis placed in him by entrusting him with no fewer than five major dicasteries during his final years preceding his papacy. Notable was his appointment by Pope Francis on January 30, 2023, as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. On September 30 of the same year, he was created a cardinal. In less than two years, he became a pope right at his first appearance in a conclave.
As the Church looks ahead under this new leadership, the legacy of Pope Francis and the emerging path of Pope Leo XIV may well converge to shape a papacy defined by compassion, justice, and reform. In the words of the new Pontiff, “May we all walk together toward that homeland that God has prepared for us.”
