By Sunny Davies, Awka with agency reports
World leaders and well-wishers have been sending congratulatory messages to Cardinal Robert Prevost who has been elected Pope on Thursday. He is the first North American to be elected pope.
The new Pope is seen as a reformer and worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made an archbishop there
US President Donald Trump has called it a “great honour” to have a pope from the US.
In Peru many are proud of the new Pope, but allegations of a cover-up of sexual abuse cases will be among the challenges he faces, writes our South America correspondent.
Reverend William Lego tells the BBC that one of the traits that stood out in Pope Leo, even back in 1996, when the two were going through high school and then college together, was his patience.
“He doesn’t make quick decisions,” Lego says, explaining how Robert Prevost, as he was then known, would take his time to “gather information” and “pray over stuff”.
Lego also says that he’s “always been centred on working with the poor” and believes that even back then he showed signs of being a “good leader”.
Being a fellow Chicagoan, Lego chuckles when he reflects how locals in the city have been celebrating the news with memes – including one that shows Pope Leo changing the eucharist to deep-dish pizza.
For more than 500 years, popes used their own names, but this changed to symbolic names to simplify their given names or to refer to previous pontiffs – which is why most popes in history have chosen the name John.
We don’t yet know why Pope Leo chose his name, but it’s one of the most popular ones previous popes have selected.
It’s not only the fact that Pope Leo XIV is the first North American pope that sets him apart from his predecessors, explains Austen Ivereigh, a Catholic writer and commentator.
“But when he speaks English, he’ll be doing so with a Chicago accent,” Ivereigh tells BBC Breakfast this morning. “And that matters.”
The papal biographer tells BBC that his American dialect will make him more relatable to an American audience – which “means they can’t dismiss him in sometimes the way they tried to with Francis” – who spoke English with an Argentine accent.
He also notes that by selecting an American pope, the conclave’s choice reflects the shifting geopolitical powers of the day.
“The assumption has always been, America being the superpower, you couldn’t have a pope who’s also an American,” he says.
“But of course, America’s role in the world has now changed.”
Halfway through Leo XIV’s first speech as pope, which he delivered in Italian, he stopped and asked if he might say a few words in Spanish.
Smiling, he continued: “A greeting to all and in particular to my dear Diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru.”
The first US pontiff is a citizen of Peru and has spent much of his life there, travelling between the two countries for decades until 2014, when Pope Francis appointed him bishop of the Chiclayo Diocese in the country’s north.
On Thursday, Peruvians rejoiced at the appointment of one of their own to the highest position in the Catholic Church.
Standing near Lima’s cathedral shortly after bells rang out in celebration of the appointment, elementary school teacher Isabel Panez said: “For us Peruvians, it is a source of pride that this is a pope who represents our country.”
Austria’s Cardinal Christoph Schönborn has praised the new Pope, saying Robert Prevost has “qualifications that speak for this office”.
“A North American who became a bishop in Peru. That showed how well he empathised and fit in with people living there,” Schönborn told the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, ORF TV.
He noted that that’s why the late Pope Francis “brought [Prevost] to Rome”, as Francis “thought he would be good,” he said.
The former Archbishop of Vienna, who is over 80, was not eligible to take part in the papal vote.
However, he was surprised that Prevost was voted in so quickly. “There must have been strong traction in conclave that he was the one, otherwise you don’t make it in just four [rounds of] votes,” he said.
There is a lot of symbolism behind each item of clothing that the Pope wore when he first greeted worshippers from the Vatican balcony.
Zucchetto: A small skullcap worn by clerics of Catholic Churches. The colour of it indicates the rank of a clergy member. For example, red zucchettos are worn by cardinals, while a white zucchetto – is worn only by the Pope.
Mozzetta: A short, elbow-length cape worn over the shoulders by clergy in the Catholic Church. Like the zucchetto, its colour and style signify rank. Red silk or velvet is reserved for the Pope.
Surplice: A loose-fitting, white garment that is traditionally worn during liturgical services, symbolising purity, humility and service.
Cross on gold cord: A pectoral cross is worn by bishops, cardinals and the Pope. But the Pope’s is traditionally attached to a gold cord as a sign of humility, compared to a more ornate chain.
Stole: A long, narrow strip of cloth that is often richly decorated and that symbolises authority and responsibility.
Fisherman’s ring: A gold signet ring that is part of the Pope’s official regalia. It features an image of St Peter fishing from a boat, as well as the Pope’s name inscribed around the image. The ring is meant to link the Pope directly to St Peter.
Philippine leader hopes Leo XIV will ‘bring the church closer to the disadvantaged’
Echoing other world leaders, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr says he hopes Leo XIV will “continue to bring the Church closer to the poor and disadvantaged.
“The Filipino people are also praying for the new pope’s strength and good health as he leads the faithful with grace, wisdom and compassion.
“May his life and ministry inspire us to persevere in our daily walk with our Lord Jesus Christ,” he wrote in a statement.
The new Pope’s call for peace and compassion for the vulnerable, “resonates deeply with the Filipino faithful”, says Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, urging the country to unite in prayers for the new pontiff.
“The challenges before the world are great, but so too is the light that now shines from Rome. May Pope Leo XIV guide us toward peace, healing and renewed faith,” he said.
US President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance – who converted to Catholicism in 2019 – have congratulated the new pope, with Trump saying it was a “great honour” to see the first North American pontiff.
In the US, Catholics are continuing to react with enthusiasm and joy
From the Philippines, which has the third-largest Catholic population in the world, to South Korea and Indonesia, Catholics across Asia are celebrating the election.
Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese has invited the new pontiff to visit his country which will be hosting a major Catholic conference in 2028.
In Peru, where the new pope did much of his work, many are proud of his election – but allegations of a cover-up of sexual abuse cases will be among the challenges he faces, says our correspondent
The Pope will lead a Mass in the Sistine Chapel at 11:00 local time (10:00 BST), where he’ll be joined by cardinals. Stay with us as we bring you more reaction and developments.
A Peruvian theologian has defended Pope Leo XIV against criticisms of how he handled abuse cases in Peru.
“He was one of the few bishops that supported us and helped us, and actually he helped the suppression of Sodalicio, which was a community with lots of cases of abuse,” Rocio Figueroa told the BBC.
She added that Robert Prevost was “one of the few bishops” who supported survivors.
The narrative that he covered up these cases was “made up” by the Sodalicio community, says Figueroa, who headed the Women’s Section in the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
The Sodalitium is a Peru-based Catholic group that has been accused of committing physical and sexual abuse for decades.
“Prevost was the one who also was very strong against Sodalicio and against the cover-up, and supporting the victims of abuse.
“So I think really that was really fake news and done by people who wanted to damage his image because he was defending us as victims,” Figueroa, who is herself a survivor of abuse, told BBC’s Newsday programme.
Indonesia’s ambassador to the Vatican, Michael Trias Kuncahyono, says he hopes the new Pope will continue the spirit of Pope Francis, who was widely recognised for his focus on social justice and marginsalised communities.
“In his opening speech, Pope Leo XIV praised Pope Francis and his spirit,” Trias said.
“As the name [Leo] implies, that spirit will be brought by the new Pope, of course, in many social issues that concern the church.”
Some residents in the province of Papua say Pope Leo XIV, who visited the province in 2003, has a special place in their hearts.
“I was very impressed with his intelligence, simplicity, and humility,” wrote Facebook user Abuna Markus Malar Osa.
Some 3.1% of Indonesia’s population – about 8.6 million people – identify as Catholics.
Pope Francis visited Indonesia last September as part of a 12-day trip to the region – the longest he had taken during his papacy.
Before he became Pope, it appears Robert Prevost did not shy away from occasionally challenging the views of the Trump administration.
In February, an X account under his name shared a commentary that highlighted US Vice President JD Vance’s “wrong” interpretation of Christian doctrine.
“JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” read the headline of the piece published by the National Catholic Reporter.
A week later, the X account shared another article, published by The Jesuit Review, which commented that Catholics “cannot support a rhetoric that demonizes immigrants as dangerously criminal simply because they have crossed the border in search of a better life for themselves and their families”.
The BBC has contacted the Vatican but has not independently confirmed the account, which was created in 2011, belongs to the new pontiff.
JD Vance earlier congratulated the Pope, urging American Catholics and other Christians to “pray for his successful work leading the church”.
The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, who is the acting head of the Church of England, said he would be praying for the new Pope as he embarks on his papacy.
“As Anglicans we give thanks for his call to Christians to be bridge-builders across the divisions of our world, and the divisions that continue to exist between churches,” he said in a statement. “This is something Jesus asks of us. He prays that the church will be one.”
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Rev. Shaw Paterson offered his “best wishes” to the new Pope and assured the Catholic Church in Scotland “of our continued prayers”.
The Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb said he looked forward to working with the new Pope “in strengthening interfaith dialogue and promoting the values of human fraternity, in pursuit of global peace, coexistence, and a better future for all humanity”.
Pope Tawadros II and Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church said they “pray that the Lord may grant [Pope Leo XIV] grace and wisdom in leading the Catholic Church, and strengthen him in fulfilling the great responsibilities required of the one seated on the Apostolic See of Rome—to bear witness to Christ in every place, and to uphold true Christian values and faith-based principles.”
Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, said he looked “forward to continuing and deepening this essential dialogue under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV.”
“At a time of global crisis, the importance of this relationship is only heightened.”
In South Korea, where almost six million people identify as Catholic, politicians and religious leaders have sent their well wishes.
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea’s presidential candidate celebrated the election of Pope Leo XIV praised his “love for his neighbours” and “commitment to social justice”.
The Archbishop of Seoul also gave “heartfelt thanks to God for sending us our new shepherd” and hopes the new pontiff will continue to show care to Korea and Asia.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te sent his congratulations and expressed his wish to continue working with the Vatican to “pursue peace, justice and religious freedom” on the island.
Singapore’s Roman Catholic Archdiocese says they “rejoice” at the election of the new pontiff and are praying for him as he begins his ministry.
Pope Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, moved to Peru as a missionary in 1985 to work in various rural communities.
He was known for working with marginalised people, and immersed himself in learning Spanish.
After a stint back in the United States, he returned to Peru again in 1988 to the city of Trujillo on the north coast where he trained young men to be priests and taught canon law.
In late 2014, when he was back in the US, he was put forward by Pope Francis to return to Peru as the Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo, a diocese on Peru’s north coast and the following year he was appointed the Bishop of Chiclayo. He served in this role for nearly a decade.
In 2015 he obtained Peruvian citizenship. He reportedly often referred to Peru as “mi segunda patria”, my second homeland.
Similarly to Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV was known during his tenure as Bishop of Chiclayo for spending time especially in more deprived neighbourhoods.
He championed various charities such as supporting soup kitchens and childcare for struggling families, and advocated for better housing on the north coast which is prone to floods.
But not all in the country are proud of his record.
Serious accusations have been made about his handling of sexual abuse cases during his time as Bishop of Chiclayo. Three Peruvian women are among those who went public with claims that – as bishop – he failed to investigate and punish a priest accused of sexually abusing them, with claims dating back to 2007.
They said that when they raised their allegations with the diocese in 2022, no substantial or serious inquiry was opened.
Church officials in Chiclayo maintained that action was taken and denied a cover-up, and claimed that the case was referred up to the Vatican.
These allegations about his leadership are one of the challenges he will face as he now leads the Church worldwide.
In New York, Mary Bates has come to visit the St Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue with her daughter and granddaughter, and seems visibly excited about the news.
“I am really, really surprised, this is so historic for America”, she beams.
She says she hopes that the Pope Leo XIV can continue to build on some of Pope Francis’ work “like caring for the poor and hungry.”
“I’d like to see women more appreciated as it’s time for that change too.”
Former classmate of Pope Leo XIV says he ‘lived’ and ‘exemplified’ the church. Charleen Burnette says she knew in her heart that her old classmate, Robert Prevost, would be named the new Pope.
Burnette attended grade school for eight years with Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, at St Mary School in Chicago. She remembers him as a “quiet, kind, gentle, wicked smart kid.”
“He was always the top of our class, all the time,” she tells the BBC.
Burnette says that he knew he wanted to be a priest since he was a young altar boy.
“He vocalised it. He lived it. He exemplified it,” she says, recalling how he would stay late to sweep and dust the small local church they both attended as kids.
She and her classmates have kept tabs on his success over the years. “Someone always knew where Robert was, if he was in Peru or if he’s home in Chicago,” she says. They also took note of his deepening relationship with Pope Francis.
“He was assisting Pope Francis in choosing new bishops,” Burnette says. It is why today’s announcement did not surprise her.
She says she now looks forward to hear his homily next week. Asked what kind of Pope she expects him to be, Burnette responds: “kind, gentle, caring,” just as he was a young boy, and that his message will be “care for all.”
“I know he’ll say it.”
Papal Identity
Papal Name: Pope Leo XIV
Date of Election: 8 May 2025
Predecessor: Pope Francis
Distinction:
First Pope born in the United States
First North American Pope
Personal Background
Birth Name: Robert Francis Prevost
Date of Birth: September 14, 1955
Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Citizenship: Peruvian-American (Naturalized Peruvian citizen in 2015)
Education
B.Sc. in Mathematics – Villanova University (1977)
Master of Divinity – Catholic Theological Union, Chicago (1982)
Licentiate & Doctorate in Canon Law – Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome (1984,1987)
Religious Order
Order of St. Augustine (OSA)
First Vows: 1978
Solemn Vows: 1981
Ordination: June 19, 1982 (by Archbishop Jean Jadot)
Leadership Roles
Missionary & Educator in Peru (1985–1998): Parish pastor, seminary rector, canon law teacher
Provincial of Augustinian Province of Chicago (1999)
Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine (2001–2013) – Two terms
Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2015–2023)
Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (2023–2025)
Cardinal-Deacon & Cardinal-Bishop (2023, 2025 respectively)
Controversies
Criticized for his handling of clergy abuse cases, particularly:
Permitting a credibly accused priest (Fr. James Ray) to live near a school without informing authorities
SNAP alleged mismanagement of abuse cases involving Richard McGrath in Peru
Papal Significance
Seen as papabile due to his position overseeing bishop appointments
Known for combining pastoral experience, canonical expertise, and multicultural fluency, particularly between North and South America.
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