For the first time ever, the Catholic Church chose an American, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, to lead its more than 1.4 billion followers spread throughout the world. The Holy See was already 1,743 years old when the U.S. established itself as a nation. While this marks a new chapter in the Catholic papacy, and the new pontiff has taken the name Leo XIV, people are asking: Who is he?Â
Pope Leo was selected to be Bishop of Rome by his fellow Cardinals just one day after the conclave began, reportedly securing enough votes after four ballots. As cardinal, he received much less attention than other frontrunners in the lead-up to the conclave, and his election likely took many by surprise.Â
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