A résumé of deep religious education, frontline pastoral experience, parish management and Vatican governance — along with a nudge from Pope Francis — put Robert Prevost on the fast track.
Category: Cardinals (Roman Catholic Prelates)
In Augustinian Order, Pope Leo XIV Found Unity, Charity and ‘Eternal Friendship’
The Order of St. Augustine, with fewer than 3,000 members, shaped the man who would become a cardinal, and then pope to the world’s Roman Catholics.
How a Quiet American Cardinal Became Pope
At a conclave with many new members, a swift, stunning consensus built around an unknown to many outside of the church.
World Catholics See the First American Pope as Hardly American
Catholics around the world were skeptical at first about an American pope. But Pope Leo XIV’s multicultural and multilingual identity has put them at ease.
Lay Catholics Expected to Retain Big Role in Pope Leo XIV’s Church
When still a cardinal, the new pope led discussions on key issues facing the church during which “every voice had equal value,” whether an archbishop or an unordained believer.
Pope Leo XIV Has Followed Francis’ Lead on the Role of Women in Church Leadership
The new pope opposed letting women serve as deacons but endorsed some of his predecessor’s moves to expand their involvement.
The Pope Is a Graduate of Villanova, Where the Church Bells Won’t Stop Ringing
The private Catholic university in the suburbs of Philadelphia has a new most famous alumnus.
The Moment Pope Leo XIV Emerged on the Balcony
Crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square — and around the world — to see who had been elected as Pope Francis’ successor.
Who Is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the New Pope? What to Know About Leo XIV
Here’s what to know about Pope Francis’ successor, Robert Francis Prevost, who was chosen on Thursday. He is the first American pope and will be known as Leo XIV.
Waiting for the Smoke That Heralds a New Pope
As 133 cardinals were sequestered in the Sistine Chapel where they would vote for a new leader of the Catholic Church, the faithful and the curious gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
Paper Ballots and Sacred Oaths: A Look Inside the Papal Conclave
Inside the secretive meeting, cardinals will use an array of objects, many steeped in tradition, as they elect the next pope.
Food for the Cardinals at the Conclave Is ‘Not So Good’
The cardinals selecting the next pope will take their meals at a Vatican guesthouse. One conclave veteran said the fare was “food you could eat at a train station.”
Survivors Call on Next Pope to End Sexual Abuse by Clergy
Groups representing survivors made last-minute appeals for the next pontiff to definitively resolve the crisis, which has swirled around the Roman Catholic Church for decades.
Black Smoke, White Smoke: How the Vatican Signals Decisions on a New Pope
In a tradition that scholars date to the 19th century, smoke released from a chimney will be colored white if the cardinals have made a decision, or black if they remain deadlocked.
These 10 U.S. Cardinals Have a Vote in Selecting the Next Pope
Six are joining in their first papal conclave, and four others participated in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis.
What to Expect From the Conclave, the Process of Electing a New Pope
Once the conclave begins, cardinals are not allowed to leave, other than for meals and to sleep at night, until a successor is named.
How The Times Covers the Papal Conclave
There are, technically, 133 papal contenders but no official candidates. Here’s how a New York Times team determines the front-runners.
Why the Italian Who Leads the Church in Jerusalem Is a Contender to Be Pope
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa is a Vatican outsider, but his experience in a region sacred to three major religions may give him an edge.
Survivors Urge Cardinals to Discuss Sex Abuse Crisis in Choosing Next Pope
Pope Francis is credited with addressing the issue more strongly than his predecessors did, but clerical abuse remains a ruinous issue for the Roman Catholic Church.
Cardinal Erdo of Hungary Is a Favorite of Conservatives to Become Pope
The archbishop is a standard-bearer for those in the church who favor a return to traditional rules and doctrine after Pope Francis.
Days Before Conclave, Cardinals in Rome Pitch Messages to the Pews
Some papal contenders offered hints in Sunday Masses at what kind of pope they might want, or want to be.
Francis Opened Discussions to Those Outside the Church Hierarchy. This Cardinal Would, Too
Cardinal Mario Grech comes from Malta, but is known to cardinals around the world for his role as the secretary general of an advisory body of bishops.
A Conclave Like No Other
More cardinals from more countries than ever will gather in the Sistine Chapel starting Wednesday to choose a new pope at a precarious time for the church.
Cardinal Parolin, Leader of Papal Conclave, Is Also a Top Candidate
Cardinals have talked about Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, as someone who could have a steady, bureaucratic hand on the church’s wheel.
These Contentious Issues Could Determine Who Becomes the Next Pope
As cardinals gather to elect Pope Francis’ successor, they are facing debates over whether the church most needs change or constancy.
There’s Never Been a Pope From the U.S. Could Cardinal Prevost Change That?
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a native of Chicago, has spent the bulk of his career outside the United States. Supporters say he represents a “dignified middle of the road.”
A Pastor of the Poor Skilled in Conflict Resolution
A possible contender for the papacy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi has worked with the needy and the disenfranchised, even as he participated in peace talks around the world.
A Contender for the Papacy Known for Promoting Dialogue With Other Faiths
Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline comes from the diverse port city of Marseille in France.
How Francis Challenged and Embraced Africa’s Rising Catholic Population
Nowhere in the world is the Roman Catholic Church growing faster than in Africa, a continent Francis showered with attention.
Cardinal Who Threatened to Crash the Conclave Now Says He Won’t
The Vatican said that Francis had stripped a convicted cardinal, Angelo Becciu, of his right to vote for the next pope. Cardinal Becciu maintains his innocence but said he would sit this one out.
A Contender for the Papacy in the Mold of Francis
Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines is known as the “Asian Francis.” But he has been criticized for not being vocal enough about his country’s brutal drug war and clerical sex abuse.
Conclave to Choose New Pope Will Start May 7, Vatican Says
About 130 cardinals will be able to vote on a successor for Francis, and a two-thirds majority is needed to elect the new head of the Roman Catholic Church.
One Key to a Successful Campaign for Pope? Act Like You’re Not Campaigning.
Crucial meetings will be held this week in which contenders begin jockeying in earnest for the job of leading the Roman Catholic Church.
Cardinals Are Maneuvering Before Conclave To Elect Francis’ Successor
Some see the byword as a rallying call in a conservative campaign to reverse Francis’ push for a more inclusive church.
Pope Francis, Who Sought a More Pastoral Church, Laid to Rest in a Majestic Ceremony
The funeral drew world leaders, including President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who had a talk in the Basilica.
