Big news from the Vatican: there is now a new Pope! Pope Leo XIV, 69, has officially become the 267th leader of the Catholic Church, and he’s the first American to ever hold the title.

Born in Chicago in 1955 to Spanish and Franco-Italian parents, Leo’s journey to the papacy was anything but ordinary. He started out as an altar boy in 1982, then moved to Peru a few years later. While there, he served as a parish pastor and taught at a seminary in Trujillo for a decade.

His rise through the ranks was steady. In 2014, Pope Francis made him bishop of Chiclayo, and by 2023, he’d become an archbishop. Not long after, he was named a cardinal. Following the passing of Pope Francis earlier this year, Leo was elected to take on the role of Pope.

From what sources are saying, Pope Leo XIV isn’t shying away from big topics. He’s spoken out on world issues, including LGBTQ+ rights and even the Trump Administration. As the world welcomes the new Pope, there are plenty of questions about what kind of leader he’ll be, but one thing’s for sure: history is being made.