The white smoke didn't just signal a new leader on May 8, 2025; it signaled a massive shift in the history of the Catholic Church. For the first time ever, the "habemus papam" announcement introduced a man born in the United States. If you've been asking where is the new pope from 2025, the short answer is Chicago, Illinois. But honestly, it’s way more complicated than just a passport.
Pope Leo XIV—born Robert Francis Prevost—is a 69-year-old Augustinian who spent decades with his boots on the ground in South America before ever landing a desk job in Rome. People keep calling him "The American Pope," but he's just as much a son of Peru as he is of the Windy City. This duality is basically why the cardinals chose him. They wanted someone who understands the administrative mess of the Vatican but still has the heart of a missionary.
The Chicago Roots of Pope Leo XIV
Robert Prevost grew up in a middle-class family in Chicago. He wasn't some high-society ecclesiastical prodigy. He went to Villanova University—a place currently losing its collective mind with pride—and graduated with a degree in math back in 1977.
You can still find people in the Chicago suburbs who remember him as a regular guy before he joined the Augustinians. His background is very "Midwest work ethic." After getting his Master of Divinity in Chicago, he was ordained in 1982. But he didn't stay in the States for long. He headed straight for the missions.
Why the World Asks: Where is the New Pope From 2025?
While his birth certificate says Illinois, his soul was forged in the heat of northern Peru. For nearly 20 years, he lived and worked in Chulucanas. We’re talking about a guy who knows what it’s like to work in places where the "infrastructure" is just a dirt road and a lot of faith.
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He eventually became the Bishop of Chiclayo. This wasn't a ceremonial title; he was in the trenches. He speaks fluent Spanish with a distinct Peruvian lilt, which is probably why he got along so well with the late Pope Francis.
- Birthplace: Chicago, USA
- Missionary Work: Peru (20+ years)
- Vatican Role: Former Head of the Dicastery for Bishops
- Papal Name: Leo XIV
When Francis brought him back to Rome in 2023 to head the Dicastery for Bishops, it was a clear signal. That job is basically the Church's HR department. He was the guy picking the next generation of leaders. So, when the 2025 conclave happened following Francis’s death on April 21, the cardinals already knew Prevost was the guy who knew where all the bodies were buried—figuratively speaking.
The Election of 2025: A Quick Conclave
The conclave was fast. It only took four ballots over two days (May 7-8). Some experts, like art historian Frank Dabell, noted that the speed suggests a massive consensus among the 133 voting cardinals. They weren't looking for a radical departure from Francis, but they weren't looking for a clone either.
They wanted a "bridge."
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Leo XIV is considered a centrist. He’s progressive on things like outreach to marginalized groups and environmental protection—he actually spent his first summer as Pope at Castel Gandolfo pushing for ecological education—but he’s traditionally "Roman" when it comes to church doctrine. For instance, he’s stayed firm against ordaining women as deacons, which has disappointed some liberal wings but comforted the traditionalists.
What Has He Done Since Taking Office?
Since that May afternoon, Leo XIV hasn't exactly been sitting still. He’s already made a major trip to Turkey and Lebanon. He’s also been dealing with the fallout of the ongoing protests in Iran, recently calling for dialogue and peace during his January 2026 Angelus.
He also did something Francis never really cared for: he re-opened the papal apartments at Castel Gandolfo. He’s a big fan of the place. He goes there every Monday to swim, play tennis, and read. It’s a very different vibe from Francis’s "man of the people" austerity in the Casa Santa Marta. Leo XIV seems to realize that to lead 1.4 billion people, he needs a little bit of quiet time at a villa.
Actionable Insights for Following the New Papacy
If you're trying to keep up with what Leo XIV is doing, don't just look at the headlines. The "American" label is a bit of a distraction. Here is how to actually track his influence:
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Watch his appointments. Since he literally ran the office that picks bishops before he was Pope, his choices for new Archbishops in the U.S. and Europe will tell you exactly where he’s taking the Church.
Look for his documents. His first major writing, "Dilexi Te" (I Have Loved You), focused heavily on the poor. This shows he’s keeping Francis’s focus on the "peripheries" but with a more organized, systematic approach.
Pay attention to his diplomatic tone. He’s proving to be a very skilled diplomat, likely due to his international background. He doesn't just speak for the West; he speaks for the global south where he spent half his life.
Essentially, where is the new pope from 2025? He’s from a Chicago suburb, but he belongs to the world. He’s the first U.S. pope, but he’s also a Peruvian missionary and a Vatican insider. It’s a weird, fascinating mix that we haven't seen in the papacy before.
To stay updated, you can follow the official Vatican News or the USCCB's reports, as they provide the most direct translations of his weekly audiences and new decrees.