Most Rev. Austin A. Vetter Bishop | Diocese of Helena

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the 266th Pope, taking the name Leo XIV. The announcement was made on May 8, 2025, following a vote by 133 Cardinal electors.

Bishop Austin A. Vetter of the Diocese of Helena expressed support for the new pontiff and called for prayers for his leadership. “Giving thanks to Almighty God, Bishop Vetter, and the Diocese of Helena, joins the faithful around the world in joy and excitement at the selection of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 266th Successor of Peter, Pope Leo XIV, by the 133 Cardinal electors on Thursday, May 8,” said Bishop Vetter. He added: “Called forth by the Lord as the Universal Shepherd to the whole People of God, we support him with our prayers and fidelity, entrusting ourselves to his leadership and guidance.”

The election marks a significant moment for Catholics in the United States as Pope Leo XIV is noted as being the first American to hold this position. “This is also a historic day for U.S. Catholics, who celebrate the first American Pope in the Church’s history, giving the faithful of the United States a deeper connection to the heart of the global Church in a new and profound way,” Bishop Vetter stated.

Bishop Vetter recalled his recent meeting with then-Cardinal Prevost during a bishops’ formation program in September 2023 when Prevost served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

To honor Pope Leo XIV’s election, Bishop Vetter will celebrate Mass at Cathedral of St. Helena on Friday, May 9 at 7:00 a.m., inviting all to attend or join in prayer. “We are grateful to God for the gift of Pope Leo XIV and pray together for the new Holy Father as he begins his ministry to guide the Church towards the love and hope of Christ,” he said.

Pope Leo XIV was born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University before joining the Augustinian order in 1977 and making solemn vows in 1981. He holds advanced degrees from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

Prevost began missionary work with Augustinians in Peru starting in 1985 until becoming head of their Chicago-based province in 1999. From 2001 to 2013 he served as prior general globally from Rome before being appointed bishop of Chiclayo by Pope Francis in 2014. He later acted as apostolic administrator for Callao between April 2020 and May 2021.

On January 30, 2023, he was named prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He became a cardinal on September 30 that year.