For the first time in history, the Catholic Church has chosen someone from the United States to lead as pope . Robert Prevost, an American who has served extensively in Peru and held important positions within the Catholic Church, is Pope Leo XIV. His historic election has world leaders and the Catholic faithful around the world wondering what his leadership will mean. Here’s what to know about Pope Leo XIV. An American tied to Peru who rose through the Catholic ranks On Thursday, the 133 cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel chose Robert Prevost to become the new pope. He and his immediate predecessor, the Argentinian-born Pope Francis , are the only two popes ever from the Western Hemisphere, and Prevost is the first from North America. The Washington Post reported that Prevost was born in Chicago and earned a degree in math from Villanova University. He spent years in Peru as a missionary and priest and even became a naturalized citizen of that country while maintaining his...