On April 21, 2025, the former Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 in Vatican City. Following his death and the mourning period for the beloved Pope, the papal conclave began the elections for a new Pope on May 7. Shortly after on May 8, the conclave elected the new pope, Pope Leo XIV. 

Pope Leo is the first American pope in history to be elected into the conclave and was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Villanova University, majoring in mathematics, and then attended the Catholic theological Union of Chicago to pursue theological studies and earned a Master of Divinity. Shortly after, he began his missionary work in Peru where he served as a pastor, seminary teacher, diocesan official and many other roles in which he helped the communities around him through service. 

The first ever American Pope raises a question on Pope Leo’s citizenship now that he is head of state in another country. Pope Leo is currently a citizen of the U.S. as well as Peru, but the Peruvian law has stated that there is no issue regarding Pope Leo’s citizen status. In a 1980 supreme court case titled Vance, Secretary of State v. Terrazas, it is also stated that American citizenship cannot be stripped unless an individual renounces it. 

As the Pope begins his new journey in Vatican City, thousands of Catholics around the world are celebrating the new beginning. Rev. Peter M. Donohue, the president of Villanova University expressed his excitement for his close friend, Pope Leo. “With today’s election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, I cannot help but reflect on what his Augustinian papacy will mean to our University community and our world,” said Donohue on the university website.  “Known for his humility, gentle spirit, prudence and warmth, Pope Leo XIV’s leadership offers an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to our educational mission.”