‘Building bridges’: Polyglot, diplomat Pope Leo XIV speaks language of majority of world’s Catholics

Pope Francis brought Robert Prevost to the Vatican in 2023 as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. On Thursday, he ascended to become Pope Leo XIV — the first pontiff from the United States. Prevost, 69, had to overcome the taboo against an American pope, given the geopolitical power already wielded by the U.S. in the secular sphere. The Chicago native is also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop. He evoked his broad experience in his first public remarks as pope, speaking in Italian, then switching to Spanish — and saying not a word in English as he addressed the crowd in Saint Peter’s Square. He had prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals have. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24’s Mark Owen is joined by our International Affairs Commentator Douglas Herebert and is pleased to welcome Dr. Andrew Chestnut, Professor and Chair in Catholic Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.