Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, was selected on May 8 by the College of Cardinals to replace Pope Francis.
Pope Leo, the first ever American pope, was born and spent much of his childhood in South Suburban Dolton, IL, The Chicago Tribune reported. He attended Villanova University before serving as a missionary in Peru, then as a bishop, and finally being elevated to cardinal, The Chicago Tribune said.
In his first official speech as Pope, he remembered Pope Francis fondly and called for peace in war-torn areas such as Gaza and Ukraine, the BBC reported.
Due to Leo’s Chicago roots, the city has been filled with celebration and pride, including the White Sox proudly declaring that the new pope was a White Sox fan, ABC News reported.
