If you’re still looking for Pope Francis, you’ve missed a pretty massive shift in Rome. Honestly, the Vatican moves slow, until it doesn't. After years of speculation about Francis’s health, the Catholic Church entered a new era on May 8, 2025. That was the day the white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel, announcing a man who broke a dozen historical "firsts" in a single afternoon.
Pope Leo XIV is the new pope of the Catholic Church.
He isn't just "another guy in a white robe." Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, he is the first-ever American to sit on the Chair of Saint Peter. If you’re a regular person just catching up, this is a big deal. For centuries, the papacy was a European club. Then Francis took it to the Global South. Now, it’s landed in the United States—sorta.
See, while Leo XIV is from Illinois, he’s not your typical American prelate. He spent decades in the trenches in Peru. He’s got dual citizenship. He speaks Spanish as fluently as English. He’s a bridge between the wealthy North and the struggling South, which is probably why the cardinals picked him.
Who exactly is Pope Leo XIV?
Before he was Leo, he was a friar in the Order of Saint Augustine. That matters more than you might think. He’s the first Augustinian pope in centuries. While Jesuits (like Francis) are known for being the "intellectual shock troops," Augustinians are all about community and the "restless heart."
His background is actually quite diverse. He has French, Italian, and Spanish roots, along with Louisiana Creole heritage. Basically, his family tree is a map of the Catholic world. He was educated in Chicago and Rome, earning a doctorate in Canon Law. But he didn't stay in the ivory tower. He headed to Peru as a missionary in the 80s, working in places that most tourists wouldn't dream of visiting.
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When Pope Francis brought him back to Rome in 2023 to run the Dicastery for Bishops—the office that literally picks the world’s bishops—everyone knew he was a rising star. But nobody quite expected him to be the one to succeed Francis so quickly after the late Pope's passing in April 2025.
Why he chose the name Leo
Names in the Vatican are like mission statements. Francis chose his name to signal a focus on the poor. Robert Prevost chose Leo XIV.
The last Pope Leo (Leo XIII) was the guy who wrote Rerum Novarum back in the 1890s. That document basically invented modern Catholic social teaching, talking about labor rights and the gap between the rich and poor during the Industrial Revolution. By picking this name, the new pope is signaling that he’s going to be a "social" pope. He’s interested in how the Church talks to the modern, tech-driven world.
It’s not all about the 19th century, though. He’s already making moves that feel very 2026. Just a few weeks ago, he started a massive series of talks on the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II). He’s calling it our "guiding star." In a Church that feels pretty polarized right now, Leo is trying to drag everyone back to the basics of dialogue and unity.
The Chicago kid in the Vatican
It’s still weird for a lot of people to hear a Chicago accent coming from the central balcony of St. Peter’s. But Leo XIV isn't leaning into the "American Superpower" vibe. If anything, he’s been a bit of a critic of the "throwaway culture" and consumerism that often defines Western life.
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He’s kept a lot of Francis’s style. He’s simple. He’s approachable. But he’s a canon lawyer by training, which means he’s likely to be a bit more organized when it comes to fixing the Vatican’s infamously messy bureaucracy.
One of the most striking things he’s done recently was changing his pastoral staff—the "crozier" he carries. He swapped out the one Francis used for a new design that shows a resurrected Christ, wounds and all. It’s a small thing, but in the world of the Vatican, symbols are everything. It says: "We’ve been through a lot of pain, but we’re moving forward."
What to expect from the new papacy in 2026
If you’re wondering what’s next, 2026 is basically the year Leo XIV truly takes the wheel. Until now, he was finishing up the "Jubilee Year" that Francis had already planned. Now, the schedule is his own.
- Artificial Intelligence: He’s rumored to be working on a major document about AI. He wants to know how we keep "human dignity" alive when algorithms are making the decisions.
- Global Travel: He’s already eyeing trips to Algeria (the home of St. Augustine) and a big return to Peru. There’s a lot of talk about a U.S. visit, but he’s playing that one close to the vest.
- Synodality: This is a fancy Church word for "listening." He’s continuing the work Francis started to make the Church less of a top-down monarchy and more of a collaborative effort.
He recently held a massive meeting with all the world’s cardinals in January 2026. He didn't just give them a speech; he made them sit in small groups and actually talk to each other. That’s the "Leo Way."
A different kind of leader
A lot of people expected a "conservative" or "liberal" shift after Francis. Leo XIV doesn't really fit into those boxes. He’s deeply traditional when it comes to theology, but he’s very progressive when it comes to social justice and the environment.
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He’s also the first pope born after World War II. He grew up with television, rock and roll, and the space race. He understands the modern world because he’s a product of it.
The biggest challenge he faces? Keeping the 1.4 billion Catholics together. Between the traditionalists who miss the old ways and the reformers who want more change, he’s standing right in the middle. It’s a tough gig.
Actionable Insights: How to follow the new Pope
If you want to keep up with what Pope Leo XIV is actually doing, don't just wait for the 20-second clips on the nightly news. They usually miss the nuance.
- Watch the Wednesday Audiences: This is where he gives his "Catechesis." Right now, he’s breaking down the documents of Vatican II. It sounds dry, but it’s actually a roadmap for where he’s taking the Church.
- Look for the "Leo Effect" in the U.S.: As the first American pope, his influence on the U.S. bishops is going to be massive. Watch for changes in how your local diocese handles issues like migration or climate change.
- Read the official Vatican News: The Vatican’s own news site is surprisingly good these days. It’s the best way to see his full speeches without the media spin.
The transition from Francis to Leo XIV has been smoother than many expected, but don't be fooled—the "American Pope" is just getting started. 2026 is going to be the year we see what he’s truly made of.
Check the official Vatican website or major Catholic outlets like America Magazine or the National Catholic Register for his latest encyclicals. These documents are the primary way a pope communicates his formal teaching to the world.