Who is the new Pope Leo XIV and what are his views?

Pope Leo XIV greeted the nationalist for the archetypal clip from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images

About 1.4 cardinal Catholics worldwide volition person a caller spiritual leader: Pope Leo XIV.

The predetermination of Robert Frances Prevost, who chose the sanction Leo XIV, arsenic the 267th person of the Roman Catholic Church marks 2 historical firsts.. Leo is beryllium the first-ever U.S.-born pope to pb the religion and the archetypal pope from the Augustinian order.

On Thursday, the caller pope appeared connected the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and delivered a abbreviated speech. His opening words were, "Peace beryllium with each of you!"

The 69-year-old pontiff added that helium wanted his connection of bid to "enter your hearts, scope your families and each people, wherever they are." During his address, helium spoke successful Italian, Spanish and Latin.

The caller pope thanked his chap cardinals for selecting him. He besides expressed gratitude to his erstwhile diocese successful Peru and spoke warmly of Pope Francis, his precocious predecessor, earlier ending his remarks with a prayer.

Leo is known to stock immoderate of the aforesaid priorities arsenic Francis, peculiarly erstwhile it comes to the situation and outreach to migrants and the poor, according to The College of Cardinals Report, a assets created by a squad of Vatican journalists.

The caller pope was calved successful Chicago successful 1955, according to Vatican News. His begetter is of French and Italian descent, portion his parent is of Spanish descent.

Leo studied astatine the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers. He went connected to be Villanova University successful Pennsylvania, wherever helium received a grade successful mathematics. He aboriginal pursued his theological acquisition astatine the Catholic Theological Union successful Chicago.

Although the caller pontiff is American, 1 of the astir important chapters of his ministry took spot successful Peru. Prevost served determination for astir 2 decades. Pope Francis appointed him arsenic Bishop of Chiclayo successful 2014 and helium became a cardinal past year.