Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a native of Chicago who is now the first American-born pope, has spent most of his career outside of the United States, ministering to the dispossessed and marginalized.

The “Latin Yankee,” as he is known in Rome, worked 20 years in Peru’s poorest enclave — falling so in love with the country that he became a naturalized citizen. His commitment there echoes the legacy of Pope Francis, an Argentine who became the Catholic Church’s first leader from South America.

“He’s right out of Francis’s playbook,” said Kathleen Sprows Cummings, a professor of history at the University of Notre Dame who focuses on U.S. Catholics. “He ticks off all the boxes of a future pope: a pastoral heart, managerial experience and vision.”

Francis turned to Prevost on repeated occasions. In 2022, he had him preside over a revolutionary reform: adding three women to the voting bloc that decides which bishop nominations go forward to the pope. Yet his successor is considered more middle of the road, pragmatic as well as cautious.

In picking the 69-year-old Prevost, the papal conclave in Rome looked past allegations that hehad mishandled or failed to act on sexual abuse cases involving priests in both Peru and the United States.

He was selected despite being “an enigma to cardinals, especially to American cardinals, because he spent his life outside of the United States,” said Jon Morris, a theologian and former priest who has been in Rome to observe the transition as a Fox News contributor.

Prevost’s childhood roots were deep on Chicago’s South Side, where he grew up worshiping at St. Mary of the Assumption Church on E. 137th Street.Local media have reported that his father, of French and Italian ancestry, was an educator who served in the church as a catechist and that his mother, of Spanish ancestry, was a librarian. Members of the clergy would come to his family’s home from across Illinois for community and his mother’s tasty cooking, according to the Pillar, a Catholic media project.

As a youth, he served as an altar boy and went to the parish school and then a seminary high school. He attended Villanova University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1977. He was ordained five years later and completed a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Then came two decades of service in Peru, much of it as a missionary and parish priest.

Prevost, who is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French, was twice elected top leader of the centuries-old Order of St. Augustine. Its website describes the international order as “living together in harmony, being of one mind and one heart on the way to God,” calling nothing your own and living communally.

Francis tracked Prevost’s career for years, sending him back to Peru in 2014 after appointing him apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, in the country’s northwest. In 2015, he was named bishop there.

In 2023, the pope appointed Prevost to dual roles: president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and leader of the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful office at the Vatican that selects bishops around the world. He held that latter position until Francis died on April 21.

His role in two different cases of sexual abuse by priests in Chicago and Peru ultimately did not derail him.

The first case dates to about 25 years ago, when Prevost led the Augustinian Province of Chicago. A priest who church leaders found had sexually abused minors was allowed to stay at an Augustinian monastery near a Catholic elementary school. The Vatican denied Prevost ever authorized that arrangement.

More recently, questions were raised about Prevost’s knowledge of abuse allegations in the Chiclayo diocese during his tenure as bishop. Two priests were accused of molesting three young girls, and a complaint this year by Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) alleged that “Prevost failed to open an investigation [and] sent inadequate information to Rome.”

The Vatican again denied any wrongdoing by Prevost.

“Given what we know about the pervasiveness of clerical sexual abuse, it is certainly plausible that abuse occurred on his watch; he was superior general of a congregation of priests that ministers in 50 countries across the globe,” Cummings said. “It’s also entirely conceivable that he failed to act decisively in punishing perpetrators and supporting victims but, sadly, that’s true of almost all the men who occupied positions of high leadership in the Catholic Church in the second half of the 20th century. The cardinal electors would be hard-pressed to find a man among their number whose record on this issue is spotless.”

Because he has crisscrossed multiple borders — both geographic and religious — Prevost had a prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals had, Cummings said.

In a 2023 interview with Vatican News, Prevost spoke about the essential leadership quality of a bishop.

“Pope Francis has spoken of four types of closeness: closeness to God, to brother bishops, to priests and to all God’s people,” he said. “One must not give in to the temptation to live isolated, separated in a palace, satisfied with a certain social level or a certain level within the church.

“And we must not hide behind an idea of authority that no longer makes sense today,” he continued. “The authority we have is to serve, to accompany priests, to be pastors and teachers.” 

THE WASHINGTON POST 

Black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening, signaling that the first vote by the College of Cardinals to elect a new pope ended without a decision. Thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square watched as the smoke emerged later than expected, more than three hours after the conclave began—longer than it took during the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis.

The inconclusive vote came as no surprise, as a pope has not been elected on the first day of a conclave in modern times. Nevertheless, some cardinals expressed hope that the process could conclude by Thursday or Friday to demonstrate unity following the divisive 12-year papacy of Francis, who passed away last month.

The 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80 will spend the night at Vatican guesthouses, where informal discussions may continue before they return to the chapel for two votes each in the morning and afternoon. A two-thirds majority—at least 89 votes—is required to elect a new pontiff. The only sign of progress to the outside world will be the color of the smoke: black for no decision and white when a pope is chosen.

The conclave comes amid a complex landscape within the Catholic Church, with cardinals split over the direction of the next papacy. While some advocate continuity with Francis’ progressive approach, others seek a return to traditional values. In a pre-conclave sermon, 91-year-old Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re urged his fellow prelates to prioritize the good of the Church and humanity, emphasizing unity in diversity.

Francis’ critics, especially ultra-conservatives, accused him of heresy for his openness to the LGBT community, dialogue with other religions, and reforms in Church doctrine. The lack of consensus on a clear successor has turned attention to potential front-runners, including Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. If neither can gather sufficient support, other candidates such as France’s Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary’s Peter Erdo, American Robert Prevost, and Italy’s Pierbattista Pizzaballa may emerge as compromise choices.

This year’s conclave features a record 133 cardinal electors from 70 countries, a reflection of Pope Francis’ efforts to diversify Church leadership. The cardinals will weigh whether to elect a pope from the growing congregations of the global South, return the leadership to Europe, or potentially make history with the first American pope.

The solemn proceedings began with cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel amid Latin chants and organ music, beneath Michelangelo’s Last Judgment fresco. Each elector took a vow of secrecy before non-participants were ordered out with the traditional Latin phrase “Extra omnes!” and the doors were shut to the outside world. While formal discussions are forbidden during voting, unofficial lobbying is expected during breaks and meals as support for various “papabili” shifts in successive rounds.

The Department of Meteorology has forecast showers or thundershowers in multiple regions of Sri Lanka today, particularly after 1.00 p.m. Areas likely to experience rainfall include the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, Southern, and Eastern provinces, as well as the Polonnaruwa district. Some of these locations could see fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 50 mm.

In addition, showers or thundershowers may also occur in other parts of the island during the afternoon or night. Morning showers are expected along coastal areas of the Western and Southern provinces, as well as in the Puttalam district.

The general public is advised to take necessary precautions against potential damage from temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers. Misty conditions are also expected in the morning in parts of the Central and Uva provinces and in the Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts.

The World Bank Group has unveiled a landmark initiative to support job creation and accelerate private sector growth in Sri Lanka, pledging more than US$1 billion in financing over the next three years. The funding will target sectors with strong potential for employment and investment—namely energy, agriculture, tourism, and regional development—with the goal of expanding economic opportunity, strengthening local industries, and attracting private capital to drive long-term growth.

The announcement followed a meeting in Colombo between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, marking the first visit by a World Bank President to Sri Lanka in over two decades. The visit signals a renewed commitment to the country’s economic recovery and future development.

President Dissanayake emphasized that the support represents a significant investment in the Sri Lankan people, adding, “It will help create jobs, support small businesses, and open up new opportunities across the country. We are committed to ensuring this partnership delivers real change for our communities.”

World Bank President Ajay Banga highlighted that Sri Lanka is at a pivotal moment to build on recent economic stabilization efforts. “With progress underway to stabilize the economy and restart growth, core elements for job creation are in place. Now is the time to accelerate reforms and create the conditions for private enterprise to thrive—particularly in sectors that can create jobs at scale,” he stated.

According to the World Bank, nearly one million young people are expected to enter Sri Lanka’s workforce over the next decade, while only about 300,000 jobs are projected to be created under current conditions. The new financing aims to close this gap by mobilizing both public and private investments in high-impact sectors.

The immediate funding allocations include US$185 million for energy, targeting the development of solar and wind projects with one gigawatt of capacity and mobilizing over US$800 million in private investment. Agriculture will receive US$100 million to help farmers adopt new technologies and reach markets, benefiting more than 380,000 people. Tourism development will be supported by US$200 million to protect cultural and natural heritage while expanding employment. Another US$200 million will be directed toward regional development, with a focus on infrastructure and job creation in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

The World Bank’s integrated approach, combining financing, knowledge-sharing, and private sector tools, underscores its ability to support comprehensive economic growth and job generation. With current investments in Sri Lanka exceeding US$2.2 billion, this new package deepens a seven-decade partnership aimed at fostering a more resilient and inclusive economy.

The European Union Delegation on the GSP+ Monitoring Mission has expressed its appreciation for Sri Lanka’s recent policy reforms, particularly those aligning with the fundamental objectives of the GSP+ mechanism. This recognition came during a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Monday, where the EU team also offered guidance on Sri Lanka’s re-application process for GSP+ concessions and reiterated their readiness to support the country’s formal application.

Key topics discussed during the meeting included ongoing engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the importance of enhancing women’s participation in politics and the economy, and the need to improve support systems such as childcare, eldercare, and public transportation to foster broader inclusion. The discussions also addressed Sri Lanka’s major development priorities, including poverty alleviation, digital transformation, and the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative. Prime Minister Amarasuriya further emphasized legal reform efforts underway, such as new legislation to combat drug and human trafficking and the enactment of the Online Safety Act, as part of broader reconciliation and governance objectives.

The EU delegation was led by Charles Whiteley, Head of the South Asia Division of the European External Action Service, and included other senior officials. The meeting concluded with remarks from EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka Carmen Moreno, who reaffirmed the EU’s continued commitment to deepening its relationship with Sri Lanka across economic, cultural, and tourism sectors. Key Sri Lankan officials present included Prime Minister’s Secretary Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Sagarika Bogahawatta, and Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General of the Europe and North America Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A massive fraud has been uncovered at the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), where over 30,000 individuals, primarily women, were sent overseas for employment without undergoing the mandatory training program, resulting in financial losses exceeding Rs. 2.5 billion. The scam reportedly took place between 2022 and August 2024 and involved forged documents used to falsely show first-time job seekers as experienced workers, thereby bypassing the required training and associated fees.

So far, six SLBFE officials have been interdicted, including an Additional General Manager, four Arabic translators, and an Administrative Officer. However, SLBFE sources believe a larger network of officials and foreign employment agents is involved. The racketeers are alleged to have charged between Rs. 70,000 and Rs. 130,000 from each individual, while avoiding the official Rs. 28,000 training fee imposed by the SLBFE. The forged documents included fake job agreements and falsified travel histories, which were used to present these individuals as eligible for exemption from training based on prior experience.

The SLBFE had previously issued a circular allowing returning migrant workers with proof of experience and prior training to bypass the program. Investigators say this policy was exploited by racketeers to facilitate fraudulent departures. As a result, many women who were sent abroad through this scheme faced serious risks, including exploitation and abuse, due to their lack of proper training and preparation.

Alongside the internal SLBFE investigation, complaints are also being filed with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for further action.

In a significant move to blend financial security with community empowerment, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd. (SLICGL) and the Royal College Union (RCU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 9, 2025. The strategic partnership aims to offer exclusive insurance benefits to RCU members while channeling support towards the education and development of deserving students from Royal College.

Under the agreement, SLICGL will contribute a portion of net premiums from policy conversions directly to the RCU Loyalty Pledge. This fund supports honorary scholarship schemes for talented students, reinforcing both organizations’ commitment to social responsibility and long-term educational impact.

Highlighting the unique value of the collaboration, SLICGL Chief Operating Officer Priyantha Perera stated, “We are proud to collaborate with RCU in an initiative that not only provides financial security but also strengthens alumni engagement. This partnership redefines the role of insurance, showing that it can be a vehicle for community upliftment, not just profit.”

RCU members will enjoy a range of tailored benefits, including discounted rates on SLICGL’s medical insurance policies ‘Medi Plus’ and ‘Medi 60’, as well as loyalty rewards on apparel, vehicle services, eyewear, and travel. For Old Royalists insuring high-value vehicles under SLICGL’s Motor Comprehensive Policy, additional perks such as the ‘Inform & Move’ service and complimentary Home Protect Lite or Solar Insurance cover are available.

Aruna Samarajewa, Secretary of RCU, welcomed the partnership as a powerful example of community-driven progress. “This collaboration is a testament to the strength of the Royal College community. Through the Loyalty Pledge scholarship programme, we are ensuring sustainable support for our young students, and SLICGL’s contribution enhances our ability to give back to our alma mater.”

As one of Sri Lanka’s most respected alumni networks, RCU has long played a pivotal role in supporting Royal College. This latest partnership not only brings financial advantages to its members but also establishes a model for impactful corporate-alumni collaboration. By linking insurance benefits with educational philanthropy, SLICGL and RCU are setting a new standard in socially conscious partnerships.

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga arrived in Sri Lanka today, marking the first presidential visit by a World Bank chief to the island nation in nearly two decades. The high-level visit follows the recent local council elections and underscores the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s path to economic recovery and sustainable development.

Banga’s arrival comes at a pivotal time for the country, as it continues to emerge from a severe economic crisis and navigates the early political landscape shaped by the newly elected local councils. His visit was initiated at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who extended congratulations to Banga in a call shortly after taking office in November last year.

The visit highlights the World Bank Group’s strategic interest in strengthening its 70-year partnership with Sri Lanka. With a focus on boosting private sector engagement, creating jobs, and promoting inclusive growth, Banga is expected to reinforce the importance of continued reform and investment in key economic sectors.

During his stay, Banga will hold discussions with President Dissanayake, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, and other senior government and private sector stakeholders. The talks are expected to centre on strategies to tackle poverty, attract private investment, and build a more resilient economic foundation.

 The World Bank Group currently manages a $2.2 billion portfolio in Sri Lanka, encompassing projects across both the public and private sectors. Recent World Bank assessments have acknowledged the country’s progress in stabilising its economy, while emphasizing the need for sustained reforms and targeted support to vulnerable communities.

Observers see Banga’s visit as both symbolic and practical—signalling renewed confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic reform trajectory and the World Bank’s readiness to assist in implementing long-term solutions.

With the local council elections concluded, the visit also serves as an opportunity to align national development goals with grassroots governance, ensuring that economic recovery efforts translate into tangible benefits for communities across the country.

As Sri Lanka works to rebuild trust in its institutions and attract international investment, the presence of the World Bank President provides an important boost to morale and a reminder that global partners remain engaged in the island’s recovery journey.

Banga’s visit is expected to conclude with joint statements on collaborative efforts aimed at fostering inclusive growth and ensuring that the country’s hard-earned economic progress is both equitable and sustainable.