Vatican City — History was made this week when Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American, was elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the first-ever American to become pope and will now be known as Pope Leo XIV.
In his first speech, Pope Leo XIV explained why he chose this special name. He said he wanted to honour Pope Leo XIII, a past pope who spoke out about fairness, justice, and workers’ rights during the time of the first Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s.
Pope Leo XIV said:
“I chose to take the name Leo XIV… mainly because Pope Leo XIII, in his historic letter Rerum Novarum, spoke up about social issues during the first big wave of industrial changes. Today, we are facing new challenges with technology and artificial intelligence. The Church must continue to protect human dignity, justice, and fair work.”
This means Pope Leo XIV wants the Church to help people understand how to live good, fair, and respectful lives in a world that’s changing quickly because of machines, robots, and AI.
He also said he wants to continue the work of Pope Francis, who was loved around the world for caring about the poor, the Earth, and people of all backgrounds.
About Pope Leo XIV:
- He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and was previously a bishop and then a cardinal.
- Before becoming pope, he worked closely with the Vatican to help lead the Church’s mission around the world.
- His teachings focus on fairness, love, and caring for others, especially those in need.
Why This Matters:
Pope Leo XIV’s leadership will affect over 1.3 billion Catholics around the world. He is expected to speak out about big world problems like:
- How robots and AI might take over jobs.
- Making sure workers are treated fairly.
- Caring for the Earth.
- Supporting peace and human rights.
