On April 21, 2025 Pope Francis, who had served for twelve years as the Pope, unfortunately passed away. In the time since, many have wondered who the new Pope would be. Some popular options were Cardinal Peter Erdo, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, and many others. However, on May 8, 2025 the identity of the new pope was finally announced: Cardinal Robert Prevost, now known as Pope Leo IV.
While the fact that there is a new Pope is already extremely important for many people around the world; Americans might find Pope Leo especially important due to his origins. He will be the second Pope to ever be born in the Americas, after Pope Francis who was born in Argentina. Pope Leo is actually the first Pope to be born in the United States of America, as he grew up in Chicago, Illinois. His journey from Chicago to The Vatican has been quite interesting. The College of Cardinals Report says:
“His educational background includes 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.”
Pope Leo certainly has a lengthy resume and a plethora of qualifications, which likely contributed to his election as pope. After his time in America and Rome he went on multiple protracted mission trips to Peru where he left a lasting impact. Vatican News says:
“On September 26, 2015, he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo by Pope Francis. In March 2018, he was elected second vice-president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, where he also served as a member of the Economic Council and as president of the Commission for Culture and Education”
Pope Leo’s impact on Peru certainly influenced the cardinals’ decision, of who should be Pope, as he was committed to the community that he was appointed to be a part of, and who he loved. Eventually he became a cardinal in 2023, and of course now he is the Pope. Furthermore, Pope Leo had a close relationship with Pope Francis and constricted to many of the accomplishments of the former pope If his extensive background is not clear enough as to why he is a qualified choice for Pope. While not a lot of students at Westminster Christian Academy will take particular interest in a new Pope; it is still important to acknowledge the uprising of a very influential person who will lead many people to Christ, and Will Havens, Sophomore, says:
”Having a new Pope from America will be great because it will allow for new direction to take place, and possibly new light to shine on the United States.”
While America does not favor one religion, having the Pope acknowledge it will allow for more insight on issues in our country that can be solved through a Christian/Catholic lens. The coming of the new Pope will leave a lasting impact on the people of America regardless of if they are catholic or not, and students at Westminster Christian Academy should not let this event slip from their minds.
