Chicago Native Becomes 1st American Pope

ILLINOIS — Cardinal Robert Prevost, a native of Chicago, was named the first American pope Thursday in the 2,000-year history of the Roman Catholic Church. Prevost, who will be known as Leo XIV, was elected to be the successor to Pope Francis by the College of Cardinals.

Prevost, 69, had served as the head of the church's Dicastery for Bishops.

"Thank you to Pope Francis," Prevost said to the crowd assembled at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. "I would also like to thank all my cardinal brethren who have chosen me to be the successor."

The crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers, priests made the sign of the cross and nuns wept as the crowd shouted "Viva il papa!" after the white smoke wafted into the late afternoon sky at 6:07 p.m. Waving flags from around the world, tens of thousands of people waited to learn who had won.

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Prevost, who was raised in Dolton, completed his secondary studies at the minor seminary of the Order of St. Augustine in 1973. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at Villanova University in 1977. Prevost was ordained a priest in 1982.

"A historic moment as we witness the first American leading the Catholic Church," Gov. JB Pritzker said. "Hailing from Chicago, Pope Leo XIV ushers in a new chapter that I join those in our state welcoming in at a time when we need compassion, unity, and peace."

MINISTERING IN PERU

Prevost, a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru, is a member of the Augustinian religious order. He appeared on the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica wearing the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Pope Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013.

Francis had brought Prevost to the Vatican in 2023 to serve as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church.

Prevost had been a leading candidate, except for his nationality, as there has been a long taboo against a U.S. pope, according to experts. He was seemingly eligible also because he's a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.

"Wonderful news. The first American Pope has been elected — and he's a Chicagoan," U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) said. "With great pride, I join the Catholic community in IL-10, across the nation, and around the world in celebration and recognition of the significance of this historic moment."

LACKS THE 'MORAL AUTHORITY'

On Wednesday, South Cook News reported that a spokesperson for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, described Prevost as lacking "moral authority" to lead the church due to his alleged mishandling of sexual abuse cases while overseeing Catholic institutions in the state, including at the Midwest Augustinians from 1998 to 2014.

In his former roles, Prevost was responsible for overseeing clergy assignments and abuse cases in both the U.S. and Peru. SNAP contends Prevost allowed Rev. Richard McGrath to remain in leadership at Providence Catholic High School despite longstanding abuse allegations dating back to the 1990s. McGrath, whose current whereabouts are unknown, was only removed in 2017 after a student found a nude photo of a boy on his phone.

As reported by Patch earlier this week, McGrath was dismissed from the religious order under which he served. The factors behind his dismissal were not disclosed in the Augustinian Order's statement. Patch is seeking to clarify whether McGrath was dismissed from solely the Order, or clerical state entirely.

RELATED: Former Providence HS President Dismissed From Religious Order, Whereabouts Unknown

Both McGrath and the Order which runs the school were previously sued by former student Robert Krankvich, who alleged in 2017 that he had been raped by McGrath as a teen. The lawsuit was settled in 2023, with the school and Order paying Krankvich $2 million.

NEW POPE'S NAMESAKE

According to Robert Orsi, professor of religion at Northwestern University, the new pope's namesake Leo XIII was known for his outspoken defense of the rights of working people to a living wage.

"By taking this name, Pope Leo XIV clearly signals his priorities," Orsi said. "Pope Leo XIII was also profoundly wary of nationalists, especially those who would divide the church over political disputes. The Pope Leo of the early 21st century, who spent most of his 69 years outside the United States, appears already to be calling Catholics back to a truly global, truly open-hearted faith."

The Associated Press contributed reporting.