😶‍🌫️ A Peruvian Pope and cartel judges

IN THIS ISSUE

• The Latin American ties of Leo XIV

• A new crisis encircles Mexico’s controversial judicial elections in June

Pope Leo XIV’s deep ties to Latin America

After the death of Pope Francis, it would have been unlikely to see the College of Cardinals pick another Latin American pope. But Chicago-born 65-year-old Robert Francis Prevost Martínez was the next closest thing, due to his deep ties to the region — and Peruvian citizenship.

Habemus papam. Pope Leo XIV is the first North American to ascend to the papacy. His election was celebrated across the globe — and particularly in Peru, where he spent much of his missionary life and became a naturalized citizen.

• “Today is a historic moment for Peru and for the world,” said President Dina Boluarte. “He is a Peruvian citizen by choice and by heart. He chose to be one of us, to live among us and to carry in his heart the faith and culture of our nation.”

Prevost. Born in Chicago to a family with Afro-Caribbean roots, Prevost was ordained in 1982 and was sent to Peru soon after — where he worked in Trujillo, in the north of the country, and Chulucanas, in the northwest, launching a pastoral mission that would stretch across decades.

🌎 LatAm Report