The New Pope, Leo XIV, Has Delivered His First Address After Being Chosen By The Conclave

Pope Leo XIV, the new pope selected by the conclave in the Vatican on Thursday, May 8, has delivered his first address, calling for peace and a missionary church that builds bridges and dialogue.

69-year-old Pope Leo, born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was born in Chicago in the US but served decades as a missionary and later an Archbishop in Peru, where he is a naturalized citizen.

Leo, who now becomes the first American pope, was made a cardinal by his predecessor Pope Francis in 2023 and was in charge of advising the pope on the selection and appointment of new bishops around the world.

He was seen as a "middle of the road" candidate, not the most radical reformer nor the most conservative cardinal in the conclave, which began its gathering on May 7, after the death of Francis on Easter Monday on April 21.

Prevost's chosen papal name is a nod to Pope Leo XIII, the "social pope" known for advocating for workers rights from 1878 to 1903, and observers and Vatican officials have said that Leo XIV's name choice is a “deep sign of commitment to social issues,” suggesting that social justice — a top priority for Francis — will remain a priority for the Catholic Church under his leadership.

While he has shown support for the plight of migrants and the poor and called out US Vice President JD Vance for wrongly using the bible to justify the Trump administration's policies, he is less progressive than Francis on LGBTQ issues, criticizing in 2012 Western media and popular culture for fostering "sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel", citing "homosexual lifestyle" and "alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children," according to the New York Times.

He has also faced criticism for how he handled priests facing sexual abuse allegations, with survivor groups both in the US and Peru saying that he mishandled and failed to adequately investigate or act on the allegations.

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