To their 69 years oldPope Leo XIV, and still the current Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America is the first American and the first Augustinian to become Supreme Pontiff in the history of the institution.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955 in Chicago (Illinois, USA), is the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church. A member of the Order of St. Augustine (O.S.A.), he entered the novitiate in 1977 and made his solemn vows in 1981. He studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union from Chicago and later specialized in canon law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
In 1985, he was sent as a missionary to Peru, where he served in various pastoral and academic roles. He has been the bishop of Chiclayo since 2015 and in 2023, the Pope Francis appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. That same year, he was created a cardinal with the diaconia of St. Monica.
On May 8, 2025, he was elected Pope, adopting the name Leo XIV. His election marks a milestone as the first American and Augustinian pontiff in the history of the Church. His career stands out for his commitment to missionary ministry, academic formation and ecclesiastical administration both in Latin America and at the Vatican.
You can read his complete biography on the official Opus Dei website: Biography of Pope Leo XIV.
At 7:13 p.m. on May 8, 2025, 65 minutes after the white smoke, thousands of faithful and pilgrims saw the curtains of the central balcony of the Vatican Basilica open. The Cardinal Protodeacon, Dominique Mamberti, appeared before the crowd and in a solemn voice pronounced the historic words: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam..."followed by the name of the new Pontiff: Cardinal Prevost, who has taken the name Leo XIV.
The square erupted in jubilation. Hundreds of bells rang throughout Rome as flags waved and many faithful embraced excitedly. Amid shouts of "Long live the Pope!" and the singing of the You are Petrusthe new successor of Peter appeared before the world for the first time. Dressed in white and with a serene gesture, he greeted the crowd with an apostolic blessing, thanking his brother cardinals for their confidence and asking for prayers for his mission.
Thus begins a new stage for the Catholic Church, marked by hope and expectation. In the next few hours Pope Leo XIV will address the faithful once again and will formally begin his pontificate with an inaugural Mass in the coming days.
On May 8, 2025, Bishop Fernando Ocáriz, Prelate of Opus Dei, issued a message on the occasion of the election of Pope Leo XIV. He expressed his joy and gratitude for the appointment of the new Vicar of Christ, urging the community to unite in prayer for him and for the mission he undertakes at the head of the Church.
In his message, Bishop Ocáriz stressed the importance of unity of hearts and prayers at times like this, underscoring the faith of the Church that shines with particular splendor. He recalled the words of St. Josemaría Escrivá in ForgeThe Pope, who is considered the cornerstone of the Church, is exhorted to love, venerate, pray and mortify oneself for the Roman Pontiff.
The prelate emphasized that Pope Leo XIV, as successor of PeterHe encouraged the faithful to renew their commitment to prayer and support the Holy Father, recognizing the responsibility and service involved in his new ministry. He encouraged the faithful to renew their commitment to pray for and support the Holy Father, recognizing the responsibility and service that his new ministry entails..
Finally, Bishop Ocáriz invited everyone to live this event with faith and hope, seeing in the election of the new Pope an opportunity to strengthen ecclesial communion and the commitment to the Church's evangelizing mission.
You can read the full message on the official website of Opus Dei: Prelate's message on the occasion of the election of Pope Leo XIV.
