New pope's deliberate decision to identify with Peru in particular and the Global South generally is no accident

Though Leo XIV is from Chicago, his election to the papacy reflects the move of Christianity toward the Global South.

People in the city of Chiclayo, where Leo XIV served as bishop for about eight years, gathered to celebrate a man they see as one of their own.

Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago as Robert Prevost, was the first American to be elected Pope - but an expert has warned he did not want to be defined by his roots

Before ascending to lead the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV — formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost — grew up in Chicago, spent decades in Peru, then arrived in Rome.

(RNS) — As a Chicago-born missionary to Peru, Robert Francis ... which reported on Leo’s Creole identity. “And of course we don’t know what happened to Pope Leo’s family, but what ...

The original Pope Leo, known as “Leo the Great,” who served in the fifth century, left an equally powerful legacy. He is remembered for persuading Attila the Hun to halt his invasion, thereby sparing Rome from destruction. This diplomatic feat suggests Prevost may see himself as a potential bridge-builder in an era of global conflict and division.

Pope Leo XIV will be known for many things, including being the first American pope and the first Augustinian pope, but he most likely will not be known for turning the Catholic Church in a more conservative direction.

ROME – The surprising election of the first American pope felt fraught and ... the most fundamental part of Leo’s identity may not be either his American or his Peruvian nationality, argued ...