The new pope, Robert Francis Prevost, known as Pope Leo XIV, is American by birth, having been born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955. He is the first American pope in history
. Additionally, he holds dual citizenship with Peru, where he spent over two decades as a missionary and bishop, and is considered by many to have strong ties to Latin America
. His heritage includes French, Italian, and Spanish descent, and genealogical research also reveals African-Creole roots linked to New Orleans
. In summary, Pope Leo XIV is primarily American by nationality, with dual Peruvian citizenship and a diverse ethnic background reflecting French, Italian, Spanish, and African-Creole ancestry.