Historic Election of Pope Leo XIV Marks a New Missionary Chapter for the Church

The election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, marks a historic and transformative moment for the Catholic Church.

Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Pope Leo’s journey from a Midwest altar boy to the Chair of St. Peter is rooted in his Augustinian identity and decades of missionary work in Peru, where he served in impoverished communities and rose to become bishop of Chiclayo.

His papacy, which began on May 8, brings renewed focus to the Church’s missionary vocation, with a deep commitment to dialogue, inclusivity, and service to the marginalized.

Known affectionately in Peru as a “Peruvian at heart,” his episcopal motto, In Illo Uno Unum (“In the one Christ we are one”), reflects a unifying spirit that he carries into his papal mission.

In his first address from St. Peter’s Basilica, he called on the Church to “build bridges” and remain “open to receiving everyone,” echoing the legacy of Pope Francis while bringing his own grounded perspective shaped by life in Latin America.

In his inaugural Mass on May 9, he emphasized the urgency of missionary outreach amid a global crisis of faith and violations of human dignity, calling for a Church that boldly proclaims the Gospel with dialogue and charity.

His approach is not one of conquest but of encounter, advocating for synodality, inclusive leadership, and a Church that builds peace in a fractured world.

As the Church enters this new chapter, faithful across the globe are invited to pray for Pope Leo XIV and the fulfillment of his bold missionary vision.