Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the first pope from the US and is the new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics. Taking the name Leo XIV, the 69-year-old Augustinian friar, spent more than 20 years as a missionary in Peru. Having held senior roles in the Vatican, he is seen as a moderate who people hope will continue the work of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Here, people from around the world share their views on the new pope and their hopes for his papacy.
‘I’m happy that someone could even further the reforms that Pope Francis started’
It couldn’t be a better choice. As someone who is from Ecuador and used to live in Peru for several years, I’m happy that the new pope has strong ties with Latin America and Peru, specifically, which is a country that I love dearly and still miss. I was concerned that some extremist from the right or traditionalist could be chosen. I feel relieved that that didn’t happen. Whether people are Catholic or not, the pope’s influence is real – it’s a force for change. I’m happy that someone could even further the reforms that Pope Francis started; the church needs to keep getting closer to reality and help pushing for equality. Carol, 55, homemaker, US
‘He was the friendliest priest I had ever met’
I am so excited that Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope! I met with him in October 2023 at a dinner party with his friends from Villanova [University]. I was nervous to speak with him, but being from Chicago I decided I would approach him. He was the friendliest priest I had ever met, conscientious and told us to call him Father Bob. I am still shaking knowing I shook hands and had dinner with him. He will be a wonderful pope. Jan, Pennsylvania, US
‘He’s a good reminder that man must build bridges’
Pope Leo XIV follows in the footsteps of Pope Francis with this spirit of openness towards all peoples. At a time when some want to build walls, he is a good reminder that man must instead build bridges between men so that peace among peoples may prevail. Br Yohann, 52, Christian hermit, French Pyrenees
‘I’ve glimpsed hope not only for Catholics, but for the world’
Since Trump’s election I’ve been in a pretty big funk. I used to be a hardcore Catholic but I have a gay son and now consider myself to have ‘semi fallen away’. Seeing Pope Leo XIV’s open, warm and very moved face for the first time I got so emotional and prayed along as I listened on the radio. My mom was born right outside of Chicago in Elgin, and I know she’s cheering up in heaven. I loved Pope Francis – his humility and love for the poorest and most marginalized. I was very concerned that the new pontiff would be along the lines of Pope Benedict. What I have glimpsed is hope not only for Catholics but for the world. Mary Lee, Minnesota, US
‘He conveyed a sense of firmness, gentleness and, above all, honesty’
I’m evangelical, so I see the pope as a head of state, first of all, and only afterwards a spiritual leader. Being blind, I’m not influenced by a person’s appearance, but I rely a lot on the tone of voice. Pope Leo conveyed a sense of firmness, gentleness and, above all, honesty. I felt an immediate bond with him. Olga, Italy
‘He’s Paddington Bear with a Chicago-style hotdog rather than a marmalade sandwich’
I immediately looked up Leo XIII, as popes choose names very cannily, and I was pleased to be reminded he gave us Rerum Novarum, a quite significant encyclical which was part of his attempt to push the church into the modern world. That he is American but also Peruvian, and Chicagoan? He’s Paddington Bear with a Chicago-style hotdog rather than a marmalade sandwich. I’m not a practicing Catholic now but with this choice the movement slowly forward will continue. Samadhi, US
‘An inspired choice’
I think he is an inspired choice but he is most definitely not the first American pope – Pope Francis has that honour. Pope Leo is certainly the first North American pope and the first from the US, but that country cannot define all of us who live in the rest of the Americas. Lynda Mair, 70, attorney, Kingston, Jamaica
‘His leadership could either amplify marginalised voices or reinforce Eurocentric priorities’
As a gay man and atheist living in Brazil, I found myself strangely drowned and concerned by the election of a new pope. Prevost’s election is undeniably symbolic. His familiarity with Latin America’s struggles, such as poverty, corruption, violence against LGBTQ+ people, could position him as a pragmatic leader.
From where I stand, an American pope inevitably sparks concerns about a likelihood of a cultural imperialism. The US already wields outsized geopolitical influence, and a pontiff from Chicago risks perceptions of aligning with western agendas. However, Prevost’s dual Peruvian citizenship and focus on global issues such as climate change might mitigate this. For Brazil’s LGBTQ+ community, which navigates both local homophobia and global solidarity movements, his leadership could either amplify marginalised voices or reinforce Eurocentric priorities. For now, cautious optimism feels like the only rational response. Diego Onorio, 38, English teacher, Brazil
‘Learning that he’s similar to Francis is a good sign’
I’m Jewish but know how influential the pope can be, not only with his coreligionists but in general. And learning that he’s similar to Francis in leaning liberal and being critical of Trump is a good sign. Vincent, Los Angeles, US
‘A pragmatic compromise candidate who can build bridges inside and outside the church’
He was always among the second tier of papabile [candidates favoured to be pope] and so in that sense was not a complete surprise. But still, the reality of an American pope took some time to sink in.
I suspect the cardinals decided they wanted someone who can communicate effectively on a global basis. Leo XIV speaks numerous languages very well, has lived in South America for many years. The fact he is a native English speaker will be a big asset for the church at this time of political turmoil and rising tensions.
He appears pretty orthodox on most issues, which I think makes him a pragmatic compromise candidate who can build bridges inside and outside the church. Like many Catholics, at times I found Francis’s pontificate a confusing and unpredictable one. Sometimes that was refreshing; sometimes it caused problems inside the church. I hope Leo XIV provides clarity and stability. Anonymous, 43, works in the media industry, Hertfordshire
‘Happy to see a moderate’
Happy to see a moderate succeed our departed pope. While some of his views are more in line with the older traditions of the church, his desire to confront climate change and fight for refugees is good news! I hope he has chosen the name Leo remembering that Pope Leo rode out to meet an invading force and stopped them at the gate. Lewis, Australia
‘He’s already stated the most crucial issue: let us finally as a species embody our shared humanity’
I already felt love in my heart upon seeing his face appear on the balcony. The power of his emotions so vividly in his eyes and face. His humility, spirit of service and commitment to those not in the centre very visible. Leo XIV has already stated the most crucial issue: building bridges, world peace, opening ourselves to welcoming all people, ie let us finally as a species embody our shared humanity. Ryūmon H Baldoquín, Zen Buddhist priest, 72 Portugal
‘It’s encouraging that he’s an Augustinian and has taken a vow of poverty’
Throughout the conclave, I’d been really hoping for Cardinal Tagle and mostly focused on the “favourites”, so when his name was read out I was genuinely bewildered.
I do have concerns: specifically as to his record on handling sex abuse cases, women’s roles in the church and culture war issues like LGBTQ+ rights. But there are also points for excitement. What drew so many people my age to Pope Francis was his pastoral approach and his rejection of consumerism, and it’s encouraging that the new pope, as an Augustinian, has also taken a vow of poverty. It feels poignant in a world where, as a young person constantly exposed to advertising and consumer culture on social media, it’s easy to feel disillusioned.
I’d like to see an affirmation of fiducia supplicans [the declaration that allows priests to bless same-sex couples] because I feel like it’s been watered down. But I also think it’s wise not to alienate conservatives too much. I think most people are ambivalent to Latin mass, and if some people enjoy it then it should be up to their local parish. To be honest, if a pope who had been known mainly for hardline conservatism was elected, I’d be reluctantly considering leaving the church. But for now, I’m carefully hopeful. Ella, 22, law student, Oxford
‘I’m not religious but I began to cry’
I can’t recall ever in the last 40 years feeling this type of excitement for a new pope. I was on my way to work and as Pope Leo XIV walked out I got emotional and began to cry. I’m not a devout Catholic, I’m not religious but I was so deeply moved and I felt love and hope at that moment. I truly believe that God can do wonders through men. Men who possess an open heart and an open mind, men who show compassion and kindness towards others and who want nothing but the best for all humanity. If only all the world leaders possessed such qualities. Christian, Los Angeles, US
