What to know about the first American pope

Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69 — now known as Pope Leo XIV — was named as the first leader of the Catholic church to come from America Thursday.

Born in Chicago, Prevost spent much of his career serving as a missionary in Peru. He was made a cardinal by the previous Pope, Francis, just two years ago. He was a strong supporter of his predecessor.

For the past two years, he has worked in the Vatican choosing priests that should serve as Bishops across the world.

In a signal that he supports work done by Pope Francis to bring more liberal ideology to the Vatican, he said in 2023, "Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church."