The white smoke filled St. Peter's Square with joy on the afternoon of this Thursday, May 8. After the traditional announcement of Habemus Papam, the world met the 267th successor of the Apostle Peter. The chosen one was Cardinal Robert Prevost, who took the name of Leo XIV. The news, fervently awaited by millions of Catholics around the world, marks a new chapter in the history of the Church.

American by birth, Latin by heart and nationality. The new Pope had long missionary experience in Peru, as an Augustinian religious and later as bishop, appointed by Pope Francis in 2014.

Greetings to the new Pope

In a communication to the entire confederation, Caritas Internationalis expresses its joy united with the entire Church “to give thanks and welcome Pope Leo XIV.”

We offer our most sincere prayers at the beginning of his sacred ministry and commit ourselves to follow and support him in a spirit of service and synodality, so that, in guiding the Church, it may be a visible foundation of unity in faith and communion in charity, building bridges through dialogue while we build a synodal Church, walking together, for greater peace and charity, close to those who suffer.

The Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, president of Caritas Internationalis. “We are willing to walk with the Holy Father as the charitable arm of the Church, building a community that serves and uplifts all people with dignity.”

Prevost and Cáritas

As bishop of Chiclayo, Monsignor Robert Prevost was elected member of the Board of Directors of Cáritas del Perú for the period March 2021 to March 2024. Given the Covid -19 pandemic, in the First At the Annual General Assembly of Associate Bishops of Cáritas del Perú, held on January 22, 2022, Prevost was again elected as a member for the period January 2022 to January 2025. With his appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, in 2023, he resigned on June 12 of the same year.

In January 2025, on the occasion of the second edition of the course "Safe ecclesial environments: training in the protection of minors and vulnerable people", in Rome, Cardinal Prevost presided, as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Commission for Latin America, the Eucharist at the tumulus of Saint Peter, in the Vatican Grottoes.

In the homily, Prevost began by highlighting the joy of being with his Latin American brothers.

I am happy to share this Eucharist with which this Safeguarding Training meeting begins aimed at the Bishops and National Directors of Cáritas of Latin America and the Caribbean. I extend a cordial greeting to all of you.

The now Pope emphasized the urgent call to conversion given the proximity of the Kingdom of God, according to the Gospel of Mark. The mission of being "fishers of men", following the example of Jesus calling his first disciples in their daily lives, requires extreme care so that those in need find the face of God in their caregivers. To follow this call, it is essential to put aside selfish interests, preparing to protect the most vulnerable and guarantee that they achieve true happiness and peace.

Read the homily in the integral at the end of the text. (Click on Download file.)

Who is Leo XIV?

The American Robert Francis Prevost, 69, becomes the first Augustinian Pope and the second American pontiff, although the first from North America. Born in Chicago, of French, Italian and Spanish ancestry, Prevost developed an extensive career within the Order of Saint Augustine, serving as a missionary and holding leadership positions in Peru, including director of formation and judicial vicar.

In 1999 he was elected Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Province 'Mother of Good Counsel' of Chicago, and two and a half years later, in the Ordinary General Chapter of the Order of Saint Augustine, his brothers elected him Prior General, confirming him in 2007 for a second term. After returning to the United States, he was named apostolic administrator and then bishop of Chiclayo by Pope Francis. His episcopal motto is "In Illo uno unum."

In 2023, he was called to Rome as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, named cardinal and, recently, promoted to the order of bishops, obtaining in February of this year the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Albano. His rise marks a milestone for the Catholic Church and for the North American continent.

Below are some photos of Cardinal Prevost together with Cáritas.