May 8, 2025
Peace be with you.
Robert Francis Prevost, 69, greeting crowds from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, marking his first appearance as Pope Leo XIV.
Why It Matters: Pope Leo XIV is the first American-born pontiff in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history. Born in Chicago, he is also a citizen of Peru, where he spent nearly two decades serving.
Prior to his election, he led the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing the selection of new bishops worldwide.
Read More: Leo XIV elected as first American pope (CNN)
Image Credit: Vatican Media
by Stephanie Wagner, based in Florida
