White smoke rose this Thursday, May 8, at 6:07 PM above the Sistine Chapel, announcing to the world that the 133 cardinal electors had chosen a new successor to Saint Peter. A few minutes later, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti proclaimed from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica the traditional formula: "Habemus Papam" – "We have a Pope". The conclave's choice fell on American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV, thus becoming the 267th pope of the Catholic Church.

This election is historic in several respects: never before had an American citizen ascended to the papal throne. After only two days of conclave and four rounds of voting, the cardinals chose a man whose journey embodies both North America and Latin America, the two great poles of contemporary Catholicism in the New World.

A Journey Marked by Mission and Service

Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Francis Prevost had an atypical journey that led him from mathematics to theology, then to canon law, before becoming a committed missionary in Latin America. His solid academic background reflects his intellectual rigor: a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Villanova University (1977), a master's degree in theology from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago (1982), and a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (1987).

A member of the Order of St. Augustine, he took his solemn vows in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1982. His ecclesiastical career truly took off in Peru, where he spent more than twenty years as a missionary. First in the territorial prelature of Chulucanas (1985-1986), then in Trujillo (1988-1998), he worked as a formator, professor of canon law, judicial vicar, and parish pastor, immersing himself deeply in Latin American realities.

His dual American and Peruvian nationality testifies to this deep anchoring in Peruvian culture and society. His bilingualism (English and Spanish) makes him a pontiff capable of addressing a large portion of the Catholic faithful worldwide without an intermediary.

Between 1999 and 2001, he returned to the United States to assume the role of Provincial of the Augustinians of Chicago, before being elected Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine, a position he held for two consecutive terms (2001-2013). This leadership role within a religious order present on all continents gave him a truly global vision of the Church.

In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, then Bishop of the same diocese in 2015. This pastoral experience in a region marked by poverty and inequality shaped his understanding of the challenges the Church faces in the peripheries of the world.

His career took a decisive turn in January 2023, when Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, making him one of the most influential men in the Vatican. A few months later, in September 2023, he was created a cardinal, placing him among the potential electors of the next pope – a role he likely never imagined would lead him to the papal throne himself.

Pastoral and Theological Vision

Leo XIV is considered a moderate man, close to the pastoral vision of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Discreet in the media, he has nevertheless distinguished himself by his listening ability and his mastery of complex issues.

On ecological matters, the new pope shares Francis's concern for the environment and the "common home," as evidenced by his involvement in conferences on climate change. This ecological sensitivity is accompanied by a firm commitment to the poorest and to migrants, embodying the preferential option for the poor dear to the Church's social doctrine.

Regarding ecclesial governance, Leo XIV is a fervent supporter of synodality, an approach aimed at making Church structures more inclusive and participatory. He considers this approach as an effective means of combating polarization within the Church and promoting consultation and involvement of the laity.

On more sensitive doctrinal issues, the new pontiff has adopted nuanced positions. During the Synod on Synodality in October 2023, he stated that "clericalizing women" – that is, ordaining them to clerical roles – would not solve the Church's problems and might even create new ones. Nevertheless, he recognizes the importance of increased participation of women at all levels of Church governance.

Regarding the blessing of same-sex couples, provided for in the Fiducia Supplicans document promulgated under Francis, Leo XIV has adopted a nuanced position, emphasizing the need for national episcopal conferences to have some doctrinal authority to interpret and apply these directives in their respective cultural contexts. This approach reflects his sensitivity to cultural differences and his desire to find a balance between Church unity and the diversity of pastoral realities.

The Challenges of Combating Sexual Abuse

Leo XIV's journey is not without controversy, particularly regarding his management of sexual abuse cases. As Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, he was responsible for applying the rules of the motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi, the papal decree that can lead to the resignation of bishops found guilty of negligence, concealment, or mismanagement of abuse cases involving priests under their jurisdiction.

Two controversial cases have marked his career. The first dates back to his time as Provincial of the Augustinians of Chicago (1999-2001), when a priest accused of sexual abuse of minors was allowed to reside in an Augustinian priory near an elementary school. His defenders maintain that Prevost never authorized this particular situation and that it occurred before the adoption of the Dallas Charter, which established strict protocols for the protection of minors.

More recently, questions have been raised about his knowledge and management of allegations of abuse in his former Diocese of Chiclayo. Two priests were accused of sexually assaulting three young girls, with the allegations emerging in April 2022 when Prevost was bishop. While some accusers claim he did not properly investigate these allegations, the diocese has firmly denied these accusations, stating that Prevost followed appropriate procedures, personally received and listened to the victims, and encouraged them to bring the matter before civil authorities.

How Leo XIV will address the sexual abuse crisis within the Church will be one of the major challenges of his pontificate. His current position as head of the Church gives him a historic responsibility to advance the necessary reforms for the protection of minors and vulnerable persons.

The First Words and Gestures of the New Pope

Appearing on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Leo XIV greeted the crowd gathered in the square by simply declaring: "Peace be with you all." In his first speech, he paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, and called for unity, charity, and the building of bridges between peoples.

In a touching gesture reflecting his attachment to Peru, he addressed his "Peruvian compatriots" in Spanish, testifying to his bicultural identity that could characterize his pontificate. This dual cultural belonging could prove valuable for navigating between different sensibilities within the universal Church.

International Reactions and Perspectives for the Church

The election of Leo XIV immediately sparked a wave of reactions across the world. US President Donald Trump described this election as a "great honor" for his country, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed hope that this pontificate would contribute to dialogue and the defense of human rights.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed "a historic moment for the Catholic Church and its millions of faithful," and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of the Vatican's moral support in peace efforts in Ukraine.

Leo XIV's pontificate takes place in a global context marked by growing geopolitical tensions, an ecological crisis, persistent economic inequalities, and rampant secularization in many traditionally Catholic regions. His intellectual formation, missionary experience, and sensitivity to the diverse realities of the universal Church could allow him to address these challenges with a renewed perspective.

The election of a pope from the Americas, both rooted in the economic power of the North and deeply familiar with the pastoral challenges of the South, could embody a bridge between different ecclesial realities. His pontificate will undoubtedly bear the mark of this dual identity, seeking to reconcile tradition and innovation, universality and particularity, in an ever-evolving Church.

As Leo XIV's pontificate begins, the Catholic Church finds itself at a crossroads in its history, called to respond to the challenges of the contemporary world while remaining faithful to its two-thousand-year mission. The future will tell whether the first American pope in history will navigate with wisdom and courage in these turbulent waters, guiding the Church toward new horizons while preserving the legacy of his predecessors.