If you haven't been keeping a close eye on the Vatican lately, you might be in for a bit of a surprise. The face on the balcony has changed. So, what is the name of the pope right now?
His name is Pope Leo XIV.
He was born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago. Yeah, you read that right. The current leader of the Catholic Church is an American from the South Side of Chicago. He was elected on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis earlier that year. Since then, he's been steering the 1.4 billion members of the Church through some pretty heavy times.
It’s kind of a big deal. For centuries, the papacy was almost exclusively Italian. Then it went Polish, then German, then Argentine. Now, for the first time in history, there’s a guy from Illinois sitting in the Chair of St. Peter.
The Man Behind the Name: Who is Robert Prevost?
Before he was Leo XIV, he was just Bob from Chicago. Born in 1955, his background is basically a map of the modern Church. He’s got Spanish, French-Canadian, and even Creole roots. Honestly, his family history is about as "melting pot" as it gets.
He didn't spend his whole life in the U.S., though. Prevost spent decades as a missionary in Peru. He’s actually a naturalized Peruvian citizen. Because of that, he speaks fluent Spanish with a bit of a local accent, which definitely helped him gain traction with the College of Cardinals. He’s an Augustinian friar by training—the first one to become pope—which means he belongs to an order that focuses heavily on community and "oneness."
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His motto, In illo Uno unum, basically translates to "In the One, we are one." It’s not just a fancy Latin phrase; it’s kind of his whole vibe.
Why he chose the name Leo XIV
When a pope is elected, the first thing they ask him is what name he wants to go by. It’s a bit of a "branding" move that signals what kind of leader he intends to be.
By picking Leo XIV, he was reaching back into history. The last Pope Leo (Leo XIII) was famous for his work on social justice and labor rights back in the late 1800s. By taking that name, Prevost signaled that he wasn't going to shy away from the world's messy problems—things like the economy, worker rights, and global conflict.
What has Pope Leo XIV been up to lately?
Since we're early into 2026, he’s already been quite busy. He just closed out the 2025 Holy Year (the Jubilee), which saw something like 30 million people descend on Rome. That’s a lot of tourists to manage while you’re trying to run a religion.
Just this month, on January 14, 2026, the Vatican finished his official mosaic portrait. It’s a tradition where every pope gets a circular mosaic (a "tondo") placed in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. He apparently looked at it, laughed a bit, and blessed the artists even though he was dealing with a nasty winter cold.
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A shift in style
If Pope Francis was the "Pope of the People" who lived in a guest house and drove a Ford Focus, Leo XIV is leaning into a "Collaborative" style. He’s been calling the Cardinals together for meetings way more often than his predecessors did.
He basically told them, "I’m not doing this alone."
He’s also been outspoken about global issues. Just a few days ago, he met with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado in a surprise audience. He’s been watching the situation in South America—especially after the recent U.S. military actions there—with what the Vatican calls "deep concern."
Key facts to remember about the Pope
If you're in a trivia contest or just want to sound smart at dinner, here are the basics:
- Birth Name: Robert Francis Prevost.
- Papal Name: Leo XIV.
- Nationality: American (USA) and Peruvian.
- Election Date: May 8, 2025.
- Order: Augustinian (OSA).
- Key Focus: Peace in the Middle East, social justice, and church "synodality" (which is just a fancy word for working together).
Looking ahead in 2026
The big thing on the calendar right now is the Year of St. Francis. Pope Leo just proclaimed this to mark 800 years since the death of St. Francis of Assisi. He’s even authorized the first-ever public display of the saint’s body in Assisi from February to March of this year.
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He’s also planning a major trip to Spain later this year with stops in Madrid and Barcelona. It seems he’s not planning on slowing down anytime soon.
If you’re keeping track of what is the name of the pope for administrative or religious reasons, remember that the transition from Francis to Leo XIV happened quite recently. Most of the world is still getting used to an American accent coming from the Vatican, but so far, Leo XIV seems to be leaning into his role as a bridge-builder between the Americas and the rest of the world.
To stay current, you can follow the official Vatican News bulletins or check the @Pontifex account on social media, which is now managed by his team. If you're planning a trip to Rome this year, be sure to check the liturgical calendar on the Vatican website, as he has reinstated several traditional consistories that might affect when St. Peter's is open to the public.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify local schedules: If you are a practicing Catholic, check your parish's updated "Prayers for the Faithful" to ensure you are using the correct name during Mass.
- Monitor travel advisories: If you plan to attend the display of St. Francis' body in Assisi (Feb 22 – March 26), register early on the official Basilica website as over 250,000 people have already signed up.
- Read the latest encyclical: Look for Leo XIV’s recent writings on "universal reconciliation" to understand his specific theological direction for 2026.