From Newsweek:
The 69-year-old cardinal, who spent much of his clerical life abroad in Peru, emerged as a candidate during a closely watched conclave that followed the death of Pope Francis.
Leo, who is fluent in Spanish and Italian, was named pope amid growing ideological divides within the Catholic hierarchy, with cardinals split over whether to continue the more inclusive direction charted by Francis or return to stricter doctrinal enforcement. Leo represents the “dignified middle of the road,” the Rev. Michele Falcone, a priest in the Order of St. Augustine, told The New York Times on May 2.