A new pope was elected in Rome on May 8, 2025. He took the name Leo XIV. Until then, the man was known as Robert Prevost.

The new pope was born in Chicago, USA, on 14 September 1955. His father came from a family of French and Italian descent, and his mother from a Spanish family. He has two brothers.

Robert Prevost initially studied mathematics and philosophy. In 1977, he joined the Catholic Order of Saint Augustine. He was ordained a priest in Rome in 1982. A few years later, he went to Peru, where he worked as a missionary and parish priest. At the beginning of the new millennium, he was appointed head of the Augustinian Order and ordained a bishop. He then led the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru. Later, he took up a position in the Roman Curia. The Curia is the central administration of the Catholic Church. In 2023, Robert Prevost was appointed a cardinal.

After the death of the previous pope, the College of Cardinals elected him as the new pope in May 2025. Like all popes, after his election he chose a new name and called himself Leo. Since 13 popes had already borne this name, he is now Leo XIV. The election made him the head of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis was the predecessor of Pope Leo XIV. He was elected in 2013 and died on Easter Monday 2025 at the age of 88. Pope Benedict XVI was Francis's predecessor. He was elected pope in April 2005. Until then, he was known as Joseph Ratzinger. Pope Benedict was from Germany.

The Pope lives in Rome. More precisely, he lives in the Vatican. The Vatican is a small, independent state located on the left bank of the River Tiber, in the heart of Rome. It has only 500 residents and covers an area of 0.45 square kilometers.

You could walk around this country in about an hour. The Vatican’s most important building is St Peter’s Basilica, with St Peter’s Square. High above the square, the pope has an apartment on the top floor of the papal palace.

When the Pope is at home, he gives his blessing to the people below in St. Peter’s Square on Sundays. The second window from the right on the upper floor of the Pope’s palace is opened. But why does the Pope live and reside in Rome? And what exactly is a Pope?

The Pope is considered the successor of the Apostle Peter. Peter was one of the men who accompanied Jesus nearly 2,000 years ago. They were called disciples or apostles. Peter lived in Capernaum, by the Sea of Galilee, in what is now Israel.

That was where he was married. He worked as a fisherman alongside his brother Andreas. Jesus is said to have met them on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and called them to follow him. After that, they travelled around with him.

Peter’s real name was Simon. But Jesus gave him the name “Peter”. This Simon Peter had a leading role among Jesus’ disciples. Jesus is said to have told him: “You are Peter, the rock, and on this rock I will build my church.” After Jesus’ death, Peter was one of the leaders of the first Christian community in Jerusalem, together with the apostles James and John.

Later, like the Apostle Paul, he is said to have founded a Christian community in Rome. At the time, Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire, ruled by Emperor Nero. He brutally persecuted Christians and had the Apostles Peter and Paul executed. Paul was beheaded and Peter crucified. This is said to have happened in 65 AD.

According to tradition, Peter’s body was buried in a square next to Emperor Nero’s circus. It is also said that Christians in Rome held Peter’s tomb in special reverence. Emperor Constantine was the first Roman emperor to become a Christian. In 324, Constantine had a church built over Peter’s tomb. It stood here for almost 1,200 years before it eventually fell into disrepair. It was demolished, and plans were made to build a new St Peter’s Basilica in its place. It was to be large and magnificent. It took around 120 years to complete. Italy’s finest architects were called upon, including the architect, painter and sculptor Michelangelo. It was to be larger than any of the temples built in honour of pagan gods.

And it was to have a dome. This church was consecrated on 18 November 1623. The "Basilica di San Pietro" is 211.5 m long and 138 m wide. Its dome rises 132.5 m into the sky. The interior covers around 15,160 m² and can hold about 60,000 people.

In addition to a main dome, there are 8 smaller side domes. The church contains more than 800 columns, 390 large statues and 45 altars. From the entrance hall, a bronze door leads into the basilica. The Porta Santa beside it is opened only on special occasions.

The papal altar stands directly beneath the dome. It was created by the sculptor Bernini. A bronze canopy, supported by four columns, rises above the altar. According to tradition, the tomb of the Apostle Peter lies beneath the altar.

In 1950, a number of graves were discovered beneath what is now St. Peter’s Basilica. One of them appears to have been especially revered, as many other graves were arranged around it in a radiating pattern. It could have been the tomb of the Apostle Peter.

The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica offers a wonderful view of the city of Rome, especially of the square in front of the basilica. It was also designed by the sculptor Bernini. The square is 340 m long and 240 m wide. It is surrounded by 284 columns, each 20 m high. The colonnade is topped by 140 statues of saints that frame the square.

In the centre stands an obelisk that Emperor Caligula had brought from Egypt almost 2,000 years ago. It is 25.5 m tall. Two fountains on either side of the obelisk provide water.

When a pope dies or voluntarily resigns from office, a new one is elected. Only cardinals may take part in the election. These are bishops of the Catholic Church chosen by the pope.

The election takes place in the Sistine Chapel, which stands next to St. Peter’s Basilica. Michelangelo painted the ceiling and the mural above the altar. The mural depicts Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian belief, will return one day to pass judgment. The ceiling paintings depict the creation of the world as told in the Bible. One of them shows God bringing Adam, the first man, to life.

When a new pope has been elected, white smoke rises above the Sistine Chapel. The new pope is then introduced to the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with the words: Habemus Papam — We have a pope.

Since the Pope is considered the successor to the Apostle Peter, he takes precedence over all other bishops. He is the Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church. This Church has about 1.2 billion members in countries around the world. The Pope appoints all bishops and cardinals. From time to time, he issues teaching documents known as encyclicals. These set out the teachings of the Catholic Church.

A pope also has the right to beatify people who have led especially good and devout lives, or to declare them saints. Since the Vatican is an independent state, the pope is also its head of state. Vatican ambassadors are represented in almost every country in the world.