Papabili: Prevost, ‘Latin Yankee’ to Unite the Americas

Vatican City: Papabile Robert Francis Prevost, a 70-year-old cardinal of the Curia, has emerged as a potential candidate for the papacy, representing a unique blend of North and South American influences. Known as a “Latin American Yankee,” Prevost’s candidacy is gaining attention among the cardinals from these regions, which are significant in number.

According to Ansa News Agency, Prevost’s journey has been marked by his close association with Pope Francis. Since 2023, he has served as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. His elevation to cardinal status came in the same year. Born in Chicago to a family of French descent, Prevost is an Augustinian who holds a degree in Canon Law. His missionary work in Peru from 1985 to 1999, and later his role as bishop of Ciclayo in 2013, underscored his commitment to marginalized communities and migrants, earning him the appreciation of Pope Francis.

As prefect for the bishops, Prevost has been instrumental in appointing numerous prelates, shaping a new wave of “Francis-like” religious leaders who are progressive and open-minded. He is known for his reserved and balanced demeanor. In 2023, he played a pivotal role in managing the German Synodal Path, a contentious debate within the German dioceses that risked causing a schism. Prevost’s diplomatic efforts brought the path back to orthodoxy without causing upheaval.

The potential support for Prevost from Latin American cardinals, who lack strong candidates, and from American cardinals, who are divided between progressives and conservatives, could be a decisive factor in his favor. He also enjoys backing from influential figures like Honduran cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, despite Maradiaga’s absence from the conclave due to age.

However, Prevost’s candidacy faces challenges due to accusations of covering up sexual abuse by priests in both Chicago and Peru. Last year, Prevost and his successor in Chicago, Blaise Cupich, faced allegations of inaction regarding abuse cases in the 1980s and 1990s. In Peru, Prevost was accused by three sisters of covering up their complaints of sexual abuse by two priests. The diocese of Ciclayo clarified that Prevost had advised the sisters to report the matter to civil authorities and that the canonical process was halted when the judiciary dismissed the case due to the statute of limitations.