Pope Leo XIV

In a country where over 90% of the population identifies as Christian—and nearly three-quarters as Catholic—the election of a new pope is more than a Vatican affair. It's personal.

When Catholics heard on May 8 the new pope had chosen the name Leo XIV, the thoughts of many turned immediately to Leo XIII, the last pope to bear the name.

Pope Leo XIV's devotion to St. Augustine, his life and ministry as a member of the Augustinian order and his focus on the unity of the church are reflected in his episcopal motto and coat of arms.

As the Catholic Church welcomes its first American pope, here are 10 things to know about Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert F. Prevost.

Among his first messages, Pope Leo XIV expressed his intention to strengthen the Catholic Church's ties with the Jewish community.

Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny said that when Cardinal Robert F. Prevost was elected Pope and chose the name Leo XIV, "I rejoiced, I really rejoiced."

It was a historic first for the Order of St. Augustine when one of its own, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected as Holy Father.

With a huge and festive crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV led his first Sunday recitation of the "Regina Coeli" prayer and urged all Catholics to pray for vocations, especially to the priesthood and religious life.

For Toronto’s Cardinal Francis Leo, he came to Rome “like an orphan,” and as he and the other 132 cardinal lectors prepare to leave for their home dioceses, they do so with a new head of the family.

Pope Leo XIV will officially inaugurate his papacy with Mass in St. Peter's Square May 18.