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Adam Allington
Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was born in the United States, but spent the majority of his career in Peru, has been selected as the next pope, the first American pontiff in history.
Patricia Campos-Medina
Executive Director of the Worker Institute
Patricia Campos-Medina, executive director of the Worker Institute in Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, says the election of Pope Leo XIV is a moment of celebration for Catholics around the world, but specifically for the faithful in the Americas.
Campos-Medina says:
“He is an American Pope, but also spent most of his life in Peru, and understands the global dynamics of the church as a leader for advancing issues that matter to the working poor and workers. He is expected to follow on the reforms of his predecessor Pope Francis.
“His chosen name, based on Pope Leo XIII, reflects his embrace of the ministry of mutual aid and leads many to think he will champion issues of economic justice and an embrace of workers and unions, just like Pope Leo XIII did during his papacy.
“He is known already for his focus on justice and the needs of the poor. At a time of great economic insecurity and global unrest, a Pope that raises the voices of workers and the poor will bring a much-needed sense of moral fortitude to all those social movements advocating for economic justice and peace in the world.”
