Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old cardinal from Chicago, is selected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. He is the first-ever U.S.-born pope and the first from the Augustinian order. Appearing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he greeted the world with a message of unity. “Peace be with all of you!” He added, “I want this peace to enter your hearts, reach your families and all people, wherever they are,” speaking in Italian, Spanish, and Latin. Pope Leo XIV has also been popular for his opinion on various issues.

Pope Leo XIV on immigration and Trump administration

Pope Leo XIV has a deeply personal connection to immigration, telling Italian network Rai before his election, “I was born in the United States… But my grandparents were all immigrants, French, Spanish… I was raised in a very Catholic family.” While serving in Peru, Prevost showed concern for Venezuelan migrants, with over 1.5 million of them in the country. Jesus Leon Angeles, a Peruvian Catholic group coordinator, said, “He had always shown care for Venezuelan migrants in Peru.” Leo also criticised the Trump administration’s immigration policies. He retweeted a post condemning the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, asking: “Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?” He also shared an op-ed from the National Catholic Reporter titled, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” challenging the Vice President’s Fox News comment that love should be prioritized from family to fellow citizens before others.

Leo’s opinion on LGBTQIA+ community

Leo XIV supports blessings for same-sex couples and “others in irregular situations,” but emphasises cultural context. In October 2024, he said, “The bishops in the episcopal conferences of Africa were basically saying, that here in Africa, our whole cultural reality is very different… So, we’re in very different worlds.” He explained that while the Vatican must lead, bishops must consider local laws and social norms: “There are still places in Africa that apply the death penalty, for example, for people who are living in a homosexual relationship.”

Strong advocate of environment protection

A strong advocate for environmental stewardship, Leo XIV has spoken of building a “relationship of reciprocity” with the environment. In a 2023 seminar, he declared, “Dominion over nature should not be tyrannical.” He supported solar panels and electric vehicles at the Vatican and warned, “It is time to move from words to action.”

On Equality for Women

Leo XIV supports women in senior Church roles but remains aligned with Francis on opposing female ordination. In 2023, he said, “Ordaining women—and there’s been some women that have said this interestingly enough—‘clericalizing women’ doesn’t necessarily solve a problem, it might make a new problem.” However, he praised their leadership, saying, “Women contribute a great deal to the life of the Church.” He supported Pope Francis’ decision to include women in the Dicastery for Bishops, and in 2024 told the Catholic News Service: “Their presence contributes significantly to the process of discernment in looking for who we hope are the best candidates to serve the Church in episcopal ministry.” Choosing the name Leo is widely seen as a tribute to Pope Leo XIII, known for his advocacy of workers’ rights during the industrial revolution. Former Archbishop of Boston Seán Patrick O’Malley wrote, “He has chosen a name widely associated with the social justice legacy of Pope Leo XIII… the beginning of Marxism, and widespread immigration.” While serving in Peru, Leo XIV’s diocese faced scrutiny during sexual abuse investigations. Although his office strongly denied any cover-up, the matter is likely to remain under watch as he takes leadership of the global Church.