American-born Pope Leo XIV unites Peru and the Vatican

    
• Cardinal Robert Prevost, born in the USA, is now Pope Leo XIV.
• Prevost holds Peruvian citizenship and has been connected with Peru since the 1980s.
• The new pope gained recognition for innovative projects for the youth in Peru.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, born in 1955 in Chicago, has been elected as pope, taking the name Leo XIV. His election has brought joy to Peru, where he served for many years as a missionary of the Augustinian Order. Prevost holds both American and Peruvian citizenship.

Prevost began his service in Peru in the 1980s, taking on various roles, from missionary to vice president of the Episcopal Conference of Peru. His strong ties with the country are underscored by Peruvian media, which recall that he received a Peruvian ID card in 2014.

He is strongly connected with Peru. He is one of us. He is a Peruvian, commented the broadcasters.

The new pope earned recognition in Peru for his closeness to ordinary people and for developing innovative projects aimed at serving the youth. His activities in Peru were widely discussed, and photos from that period, such as the one depicting him with a monstrance on empty streets during the pandemic, have already become symbolic.

Commentators in Peru are exuberant about Prevost's election as pope. His election is seen as a symbolic connection between two continents. A newspaper published in the capital of Peru highlights that although Prevost is an American, he is not significantly connected with the American church, having gone to Peru just three years after his priestly ordination.

The election of Leo XIV presents a new chapter for the Church, potentially bringing a fresh perspective on many issues. His experience working with the youth and his innovative approach could influence the Church's future activities.

See also: Leo XIV has begun his pontificate. Vladimir Putin has spoken out