Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope, following Francis's death and a two-day conclave.
The 69-year-old from Chicago will be the first American Pope in history and will take the name of Leo XIV.
Up until his election, he served as head of the church's Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful position overseeing the selection of new bishops worldwide and was only made a cardinal in 2023.
For cardinals concerned about his American nationality due to geopolitical power already yielded by the US, Prevost offers a unique credential, as he also holds Peruvian citizenship.
Chicago-born Cardinal Prevost, 69, is the first ever American to take the roleREUTERSA Vatican insider said: “He was not one of the obvious candidates, but he knows everybody, he spent 30 years as a missionary, he has languages.
“His time in Peru means he is one of the least ‘American’ of the American cardinals. But he understands America and he can speak to the country, which is important in the Trump era.”
The only formal qualifications for becoming Pope are being male and Roman Catholic, requirements Prevost clearly meets.
Prevost was also twice elected prior general, or top leader, of the Augustinian religious order, the 13th century order founded by St. Augustine.
Francis clearly had an eye on him for years, moving him from the Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014 to serve as the administrator and later archbishop of Chiclayo.
He remained in that position, acquiring Peruvian citizenship in 2015, until Francis brought him to Rome in 2023 to assume the presidency of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
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Ideologically, Prevost occupies a centrist position within the church hierarchy
GB NEWSIdeologically, Prevost occupies a centrist position within the church hierarchy.
On social issues, he is viewed as progressive, particularly in his embrace of marginalised groups.
This approach mirrors Pope Francis, who has championed migrants and the poor throughout his papacy.
However, Prevost maintains conservative positions on certain matters of church doctrine.
Like Francis, the Illinois native opposes the ordination of women as deacons.
He did however preside over one of the most revolutionary reforms Francis made, when he added three women to the voting bloc that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the Pope.
He has chosen the name of Leo and will be known as Leo XIV
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This balance of progressive social outreach while upholding traditional church teachings positions Prevost as a potential bridge-builder.
His candidacy represents the possibility of continuing Francis's pastoral approach whilst maintaining doctrinal continuity.
Prevost has previously been in the limelight after clashing with US Vice President JD Vance.
Earlier this year he took to social media to slam Vance as "wrong" for his comments on Jesus's love.
Prevost wrote: "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others."
