By: Tina L Carter | The Pulse of Black Catholic Chicago

At first glance, talking about an American Pope
sounds like a Hollywood movie or a new series from
HBO or Hulu. Yet, the College of Cardinals surprised the
world when they chose Robert Francis Prevost, an
American Augustinian who had served most of his
ministry in the small towns and villages of Peru,
becoming a citizen of Peru and serving as bishop of
Chiclayo, Peru, for nine years. In 2023, Pope Francis
appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops,
appointed him president of the Pontifical Commission
for Latin America, and elevated him to the rank of
cardinal. Now, at 69 years old, Robert Francis Prevost,
affectionately known as “Bob” to those who know him,
has become Pope Leo XIV.