Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a long-time missionary in Latin America, has been elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church
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The 69-year-old from Chicago is the first American to fill the role of pope and has taken the name Leo XIV
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The new pontiff's choice of regnal name aligns him with a lineage of popes known for strong leadership and doctrinal clarity
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He is the first American pope in history, but is considered as much a cardinal from Latin America because of the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru
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Prevost earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Villanova University and then received his diploma in theology from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago
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He was also sent to Rome to study canon law, and later, in his career, he taught canon law in the seminary in Trujillo, Peru
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Prevost spent 10 years as a local parish pastor and as a teacher in Trujillo, and was later appointed bishop of Chiclayo, where he served from 2014 to 2023
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Pope Leo is a member of the Augustinian order, which is spread across the world. He led the order for more than a decade as its prior general
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Pope Francis appointed Prevost to be the Dicastery for Bishops, which is in charge of assessing bishop candidates and making recommendations for new appointments
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Prevost became archbishop in January 2023, and within a few months, Pope Francis made him a cardinal