Latin America Greets Leo XIV, Debating Pope Francis’s Unfinished Legacy
In a surprise turn, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American with deep roots in Peru, has become Pope Leo XIV. As Catholics worldwide absorb the announcement, debate intensifies in Latin America about Pope Francis’s legacy and the future direction of the Catholic Church.
An Unexpected American Pontiff
On the second day of the conclave, the College of Cardinals elected the first U.S.-born pope, revealing Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost (age 69) as Pope Leo XIV. News spread swiftly across the globe that the 267th pontiff, a native of Chicago, was stepping onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Leo XIV’s extensive missionary background in Latin America—chiefly in Peru—helped ease the cardinals’ traditional reluctance to choose a pope from the United States. Historically, electors have been hesitant to elevate an American, wary of aligning the papacy too closely with Washington’s global influence. Yet Prevost’s decades in Trujillo and later as bishop of Chiclayo rooted him deeply in the spiritual and social fabric of South American Catholicism.
According to Vatican analysts, the new pope embodies the universal spirit of the Church, bridging American heritage with Peruvian pastoral experience.
In a previously cited Vatican News interview, from his role as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Prevost reaffirmed his missionary calling:
“I still consider myself a missionary. Like every Christian, my vocation is to be a missionary, to proclaim the Gospel wherever one is.”
Colleagues described his leadership style as capable yet collegial, firm but seldom authoritarian. This approach gained him respect as he oversaw global episcopal appointments and mediated conflicts in local churches worldwide.
Prevost’s election followed the death of Pope Francis on April 21. Many expected a lengthier conclave, but his swift election on day two mirrors the relatively quick choices of Francis and Benedict XVI. By choosing the name Leo XIV, he evokes a papal lineage that includes Pope Leo XIII, known for his teachings on social justice, and Pope Leo X, a key figure of the Renaissance era.
In Latin America, his election has sparked renewed interest in whether he will continue, refine, or reverse the priorities of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis’s Transformative Legacy
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis broke centuries of European precedent with his election in 2013. Over his decade-long papacy, he reoriented Church priorities toward the global peripheries, emphasizing environmental stewardship, synodality, and social justice.
He elevated the profile of Latin American concerns, advocating for economic equity, supporting migrants, and promoting pastoral closeness. A hallmark of his legacy was the effort to “deseuropize” the Church by naming cardinals from underrepresented regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Appointments such as Cardinal Jaime Spengler of Brazil and Cardinal Pedro Barreto of Peru highlighted his commitment to global representation. For Latin Americans, his papacy acknowledged deep regional concerns—from poverty to environmental degradation—as seen in his encyclicals Laudato si’ and Fratelli tutti.
Yet Francis’s openness also drew resistance. Within the hierarchy, some criticized his informal tone, while others felt he either went too far—or not far enough—on issues like women’s roles, clerical celibacy, abortion, and gender identity.
By the time of his passing, Francis had reshaped—but not fully transformed—the College of Cardinals, laying the groundwork for broader representation from the Global South. This shift likely paved the way for a pope like Prevost, an American by birth but Latin American in formation.
Latin American Hopes and Fears
The election of Leo XIV brings both anticipation and anxiety across Latin America.
Many Catholics in the region welcome a pope with a deep understanding of their cultural realities. Although American, Leo XIV spent over a decade in Trujillo, working closely with local religious communities and addressing economic and social challenges in Peruvian cities. His time abroad and his openness to dialogue earned him widespread respect.
In countries with strong Catholic identities—like Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina—his election feels like a continuation of Francis’s mission, rooted in empathy and familiarity with daily struggles.
However, Francis’s death has left an emotional vacuum. He was not just a spiritual leader, but also a symbol of Latin American identity. Now, many wonder:
- Will Leo XIV defend the environment and migrant rights, key issues for the Amazon and diaspora communities?
- Will he maintain the pro-poor stance that earned Francis deep loyalty among the marginalized?
Observers caution that an American pontiff may initially bring in broader U.S. institutional frameworks. At the same time, the Vatican’s European core may create conflicting priorities. Still, many believe Prevost’s missionary background in Peru offsets those concerns.
Some also question whether his U.S. citizenship could hinder his ability to prioritize local Latin American needs amid global political tensions.
Yet there is optimism. Leo XIV’s most recent Vatican role—as President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America—signals ongoing concern for the region. He is expected to remain engaged with key priorities like:
- Amazon rainforest conservation
- Grassroots synodal processes in Mexico
- Ecclesial movements rooted in community participation
In a past interview, he also praised the contributions of women to the Dicastery for Bishops, suggesting a potential continuation of reforms toward greater inclusion in Church governance.
Also Read: Pope Francis: Latin American Pioneer and Lasting Legacy
