If you’ve been scrolling through your feed lately or caught a snippet of the news from the Vatican, you might be asking yourself one question: is the new pope Italian?
It’s a fair thing to wonder. For centuries, the Papacy was basically an Italian club. From the late 1500s all the way until 1978, every single man who sat on the Chair of St. Peter hailed from the Italian peninsula. So, when a new guy takes the job, our brains naturally jump to the "Italian" default.
But things have changed. A lot.
The short answer? No. The current Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, is not Italian. He’s American. Well, mostly. It's actually a bit more layered than that, but let’s get the big headline out of the way first: for the first time in history, the Bishop of Rome was born in Chicago.
Who is the Man Under the Miter?
To understand the "Is the new pope Italian" confusion, we have to look at the man himself, Robert Francis Prevost. He was elected on May 8, 2025, taking the name Leo XIV after the death of Pope Francis.
Honestly, his background is a bit of a global cocktail. While he was born in the United States, his family tree looks like a map of the old world. His father, Louis, had French and Italian roots. His mother, Mildred, came from a Spanish background. So, if you're looking for an "Italian connection," yeah, it's there in his DNA. But culturally and by birth, he’s a kid from the South Side of Chicago.
He grew up an altar boy. He studied math at Villanova. He’s a math whiz who ended up running the world’s largest church.
✨ Don't miss: Will Palestine Ever Be Free: What Most People Get Wrong
Before he was Pope, he spent decades in Peru. He didn't just visit; he lived there. He worked as a missionary, became a bishop there, and even became a naturalized Peruvian citizen. So, while he isn't Italian, he definitely isn't just "the American Pope" either. He’s got this deep, lived-in connection to the Global South that probably helped him win over the cardinals during the conclave.
Why Do People Still Think the Pope is Italian?
It’s a habit. A 455-year-old habit.
Between 1523 and 1978, the Vatican didn't look outside of Italy for a leader. Not once. When John Paul II (Polish) was elected, it was a massive shock to the system. Then came Benedict XVI (German) and Francis (Argentine).
Even with Pope Francis, the "Italian" question was always a bit blurry. He was born in Argentina, sure, but his parents were Italian immigrants from Piedmont. He spoke Italian with a slight accent, but he looked and sounded the part.
Pope Leo XIV is different. When he stepped onto that balcony at St. Peter's, he spoke Italian—he’s fluent, thanks to years of studying canon law in Rome—but his first address also included a shout-out to his old diocese in Peru in Spanish and a very clear American-inflected greeting.
The "Italianness" of the Office
Even if the man isn't Italian, the job definitely is.
🔗 Read more: JD Vance River Raised Controversy: What Really Happened in Ohio
- The official language of the Vatican City State? Italian.
- The primary diocese of the Pope? The Diocese of Rome.
- The food in the cafeteria? You guessed it.
Basically, the Pope becomes "honorary Italian" the moment he accepts the job. He has to navigate Italian politics, manage the Roman Curia (the church's bureaucracy), and deal with the local Roman people who view him as their bishop first and the world’s leader second.
The Conclave That Changed Everything
When the cardinals gathered in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, the tension was through the roof. Most Vatican watchers were betting on a "safe" European choice or perhaps another Latin American.
Instead, they went with Prevost.
Why? Because he was a "bridge." He wasn't a firebrand. Supporters called him a "dignified middle of the road" candidate. He knew the American Church, which provides a massive amount of the Vatican's funding, but he also had the "smell of the sheep" from his years in the Peruvian missions.
The fact that he wasn't Italian actually worked in his favor. The Church is growing fastest in Africa and Asia. Having an American with a Peruvian heart seemed like a way to keep the Western world engaged while still honoring the explosive growth in the Global South.
What This Means for 2026 and Beyond
We are now well into 2026, and the "Leo Effect" is real. He’s not doing things the way his predecessors did.
💡 You might also like: Who's the Next Pope: Why Most Predictions Are Basically Guesswork
For one, he’s moved some operations back to Castel Gandolfo—the papal summer residence—for retreats. He seems to value a bit more quiet than the high-energy, constantly-talking Francis. But don't mistake that for being "old school."
He’s already planning a major teaching document on Artificial Intelligence. Think about that. A Pope who actually understands the math and logic behind AI because he has a degree in it. That's a far cry from the Renaissance popes who were more worried about marble statues and Italian city-state wars.
Key Takeaways on the New Pope’s Identity
If you're trying to keep the facts straight, here's the reality:
- Nationality: He is a dual citizen of the United States and Peru.
- Ethnicity: He has Italian, French, and Spanish ancestry.
- Language: He is a native English speaker but is fluent in Spanish and Italian.
- Style: He is considered more "restrained" than Pope Francis but still very focused on the poor and social justice.
The Actionable Insight
If you're following Vatican news or planning a trip to Rome this year, keep an eye on the Consistory schedules. Leo XIV is currently reshuffling the Vatican leadership. He’s bringing in more diverse voices from around the world, further diluting the old Italian dominance.
If you want to understand his vision, look up his 2026 "State of the World" speech. He’s leaning hard into issues of global peace and the ethics of technology.
Don't expect a return to the "Italian-only" days anytime soon. The Church has gone global, and with a Chicagoan at the helm, the flavor of the Vatican is shifting from espresso and pasta to something much more complex and international.
Stay updated by following the official Vatican News feed or the Catholic News Agency, as Leo's first major travel schedule for 2026 is expected to be finalized any day now, with rumored stops in Algeria and his beloved Peru.