In a momentous occasion for one of the world's oldest Christian institutions, the Catholic Church has elected its first American pontiff following days of ancient rituals dating back to the era of St. Peter.

On Thursday, May 8, after intense deliberation in the Sistine Chapel, Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost emerged as the chosen leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. The 69-year-old prelate, taking the name Leo XIV, was selected by 133 cardinals representing the global Church.

The newly elected Pope brings a distinctive combination of pastoral experience, intellectual rigour, and international perspective to the papacy. As former prefect of the influential Dicastery for Bishops, Leo XIV is renowned for his extensive missionary work in Peru, where he served remote communities for decades.

His election arrives at a critical juncture for the Church, which confronts multiple challenges including dwindling Western congregations, growing secularism, and intense internal debates regarding doctrine and modernisation.

The ascension of an American pope marks a significant development in Vatican history, occurring during a period of continued U.S. global influence under President Donald Trump's administration, known for its assertive trade policies and political reforms.

Despite his rising prominence as a key architect of Pope Francis's reforms, much of Leo XIV's background and vision for the church remain unfamiliar to the general public. Church analysts anticipate his papacy will blend traditional Catholic values with progressive approaches to contemporary issues.

Here are 10 surprising facts about this powerful but understated clergyman that you may not know about.

1. From Chicago to the Amazon: A missionary Bishop

Before becoming a cardinal, Prevost spent over 30 years as a missionary in Peru, serving remote indigenous communities in the Andes and Amazon. Fluent in Spanish and Quechua, he lived in simple conditions, far from the grandeur of the Vatican.

2. The first Augustinian to lead the Dicastery for Bishops

In 2023, Prevost made history as the first member of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) to head the powerful Dicastery for Bishops, which oversees the selection of bishops worldwide. His appointment signaled Pope Francis’s trust in his pastoral and administrative skills.

3. A former pizza delivery boy

Before entering the priesthood, Prevost worked humble jobs, including delivering pizzas in Chicago. His down-to-earth background contrasts sharply with the elite education of many high-ranking prelates.

4. A surprise cardinal

Many Vatican watchers were stunned when Prevost was named a cardinal in September 2022—he wasn’t on most experts’ shortlists. His elevation confirmed his behind-the-scenes influence in Church governance.

5. A key player in the Synod on Synodality

Prevost is one of the few Americans with a major role in the Synod on Synodality, the Church’s ongoing global consultation on reform. His missionary experience gives him unique insight into the concerns of Catholics in the Global South.

6. A quiet but fierce defender of the poor

Unlike some U.S. bishops known for culture-war battles, Prevost focuses on social justice, immigration, and poverty—issues central to Pope Francis’s papacy. He has criticized economic systems that “abandon the vulnerable.”

7. The Vatican’s go-to man for tough assignments

Prevost has been sent to mediate conflicts in troubled dioceses, including in Latin America and Africa. His calm, consultative style has earned him respect across ideological divides.

8. A baseball fan who almost went pro

In his youth, Prevost was a talented baseball player and even considered a professional career before discerning his vocation. He remains a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan.

9. The only U.S. Cardinal leading a major Vatican office

While other American cardinals (like Cardinal Raymond Burke) are known for public controversies, Prevost wields real institutional power as head of the Dicastery for Bishops—making him arguably the most influential American in the Vatican today.

10. Marked by controversy

Prevost has faced criticism from advocates for clergy abuse survivors regarding his handling of sexual abuse allegations during his leadership in the Augustinian order and in Peru. The advocacy group SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) has alleged that Prevost may have failed to act against abuse claims involving Richard McGrath, a former president of Providence Catholic High School, allowing him to remain in his position despite longstanding accusations