.Named Pope Leo XIV
.10 facts about new Pope
.Tinubu congratulates him
EMMANUEL AWARI, Jalingo
In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected as the 267th pope, taking the papal name Pope Leo XIV.
The announcement was made from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where Cardinal Dominique Mamberti declared “Habemus Papam” to the cheering crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Leo XIV, aged 69, is the first American pope in history and a former Superior General of the Augustinians.
Known affectionately in Rome as the “Latin Yankee,” he spent two decades serving impoverished communities in Peru and became a naturalised citizen there.
He reflected his deep commitment to social justice and outreach similar to his predecessor, Pope Francis.
The conclave that elected him was one of the shortest in recent history, concluding after just two days and requiring a two-thirds majority from 133 cardinal electors.
White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney shortly after 5 p.m. (UK time) on Thursday, signaling the successful election and sparking celebrations worldwide.
In his inaugural address, Pope Leo XIV greeted the faithful with “Peace be with you all,” urging people to move forward without fear and emphasising that “God loves everyone; evil will not prevail”.
This election marks a new chapter for the Catholic Church with a leader who brings a unique blend of American roots and international pastoral experience.
10 Facts About New Pope Leo XIV
Meanwhile, Robert Francis Prevost became the first Pope from the United States on Thursday, picking the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Tens of thousands of people packed in St Peter’s Square cheered as Prevost appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, waving with both hands, smiling and bowing.
Here are 10 facts about the new pope:
1.Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois.
2.He entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) in 1977 and made his solemn vows in 1981.
3.As a former prefect of the influential Dicastery for Bishops, the Chicago-born prelate shared views close to the immediate past Pope Francis and spent many years as a missionary in Peru before being elected head of the Augustinians for two consecutive terms.
4.Prevost bagged a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1977, a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and both a licentiate and doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. His doctoral thesis was on “The role of the local prior in the Order of Saint Augustine.”
5.He was ordained a priest in 1982. After his ordination, Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985 and served as chancellor of the Territorial Prélature of Chulucanas from 1985 to 1986.
6.The American prelate spent the year 1987 to 1988 in the United States as pastor for vocations and director of missions for the Augustinian Province of Chicago before returning to Peru where he spent the next ten years heading the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and teaching canon law in the diocesan seminary, where he was also prefect of studies. He also served in other capacities there, including as a parish pastor, diocesan official, director of formation, seminary teacher, and judicial vicar.
7.In 1999, he returned to Chicago and was elected provincial prior of the “Mother of Good Counsel” province in the archdiocese. Two and a half years later, he was elected prior general of the Augustinian and served two terms until 2013.
8.Prevost returned to Peru in 2014 when Pope Francis appointed him apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo. He was elevated to Bishop of Chiclayo in 2015. While there, he also served as vice-president and member of the permanent council of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference from 2018 to 2023.
9.In 2020 and 2021, Prevost served as apostolic administrator of Callao, Peru.
10.Pope Francis appointed Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023, a powerful position responsible for selecting bishops, a position he held until Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025. On September 30, 2023, Pope Francis elevated Prevost to the rank of Cardinal.
Tinubu congratulates Pope Leo XIV
Similarly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has offered his warmest congratulations to His Holiness Leo XIV on his election as the Bishop of Rome and the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The President also felicitated The Conclave for electing the American Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as the 267th Bishop of Rome.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said Tinubu also rejoiced with the leadership of and congregants of the Catholic Church in Nigeria on the historic election of the new Pontiff whose message of faith and hope already resonates across the globe, with a reassurance from the scriptures of a more peaceful world.
Tinubu affirmed the valued relations shared between Nigeria and the Holy See over many years while acknowledging the rewarding partnership with the Catholic Church in peacebuilding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and, more recently, the promotion of technology in advancing human capacity.
Tinubu said that he believes the election of Pope Leo XIV opens a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church and the values of love, humanity and charity, particularly to the underprivileged that it has consistently projected.
He prayed that the Almighty God will continuously shed His light of glory over the new leader of the Catholic Church and grant him good health and wisdom so that he can reach the world with the message of peace and love.
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