US citizen Robert Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV

Robert Prevost, a U.S. citizen and former missionary in Peru, was elected Pope by Catholic cardinals.

Prevost, aged 69 and a cardinal since 2023, takes the papal name Leo XIV and succeeds Pope Francis, whom he succeeded as head of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the Vatican's most important departments.

Reverend Mark Francis described Prevost as supportive of social justice issues, emphasizing his practical approach to helping the poor and inclusivity within the Church.

Prevost previously served as Bishop in Chiclayo, Peru from 2015 to 2023, focusing on aiding Venezuelan migrants and earning a reputation for humility and listening skills.

He is expected to continue Pope Francis' legacy of social justice and outreach while also addressing the needs of overlooked areas within the Catholic world, known as 'the peripheries'.