Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, is the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church. His election on May 8, 2025, marked a historic moment as he became the first American-born pope in the Church’s two-millennia history. Known for his humility, missionary zeal, and administrative acumen, Pope Leo XIV brings a wealth of experience from his pastoral work in Peru and his leadership roles within the Augustinian Order and the Vatican.
As we publish this article, Pope Leo XIV is delivering his first speech from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, greeting the faithful in Rome and around the world with his inaugural blessing as the new shepherd of the global Catholic Church.
The 2025 Papal Conclave: A Historic Election
The election of Pope Leo XIV followed a solemn and closely watched conclave that began on May 7, 2025, after the death of Pope Francis on April 21. A total of 133 cardinal electors, representing the most diverse group in the Church’s history, gathered in the Sistine Chapel to select the next successor of St. Peter.
On the morning of May 8, black smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that no pope had been elected in the earlier rounds of voting. The atmosphere in St. Peter’s Square was one of both tension and hope. Then, in the evening hours, white smoke billowed into the Roman sky, and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out — the Church had a new pope.
Later on 8th May 2025, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti stepped onto the central loggia and announced: “Habemus Papam!” — “We have a Pope!” The crowd erupted in cheers as it was revealed that the new pontiff was Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a native of the United States, who would take the name Leo XIV. His election surprised many observers, as the Vatican has traditionally been cautious about appointing popes from superpower nations. Yet, his deep missionary roots in Latin America and extensive curial experience proved decisive.
Early Life and Education of Pope Leo XIV
Robert Francis Prevost was born into a multicultural family with French, Italian, and Spanish roots. His father, Louis Marius Prevost, was a World War II Navy veteran and a dedicated educator who served as a superintendent of schools in suburban Chicago. His mother, Mildred Martínez, brought a strong Spanish heritage and a deep Catholic faith to their home. The Prevost household was one where clergy were often guests, and faith formed the backbone of family life.
Prevost’s vocation began early. He served as an altar boy, attended a parish school, and by 1973 had completed his studies at a minor seminary run by the Augustinian Order. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1977, the same year he entered the Augustinian novitiate. He professed his first vows in 1978 and his solemn vows in 1981.
He pursued theological studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, earning a Master of Divinity. On June 19, 1982, he was ordained a priest in Rome by Archbishop Jean Jadot. Recognizing his aptitude for governance and Church law, he was sent to the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, where he earned a Licentiate in 1984 and a Doctorate in Canon Law in 1987. His doctoral dissertation focused on the governance of local priories within the Augustinian tradition.
Missionary Work in Peru
In 1985, Fr. Prevost was sent on a mission to Peru, where he would spend much of the next two decades. He began his service as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas and was later assigned to the city of Trujillo. There, he led the Augustinian seminary, taught canon law, and served as a judicial vicar and professor at the major seminary San Carlos e San Marcelo.
He wore many hats during this time — prefect of studies, judge on the ecclesiastical court, and even pastor of a parish in the city’s outskirts. His commitment to the Church and people of Peru ran deep. In 2015, he became a naturalized Peruvian citizen, a move that symbolized the close bond he had formed with the country and its faithful.
Leadership in the Augustinian Order
Fr. Prevost’s leadership gifts were recognized in 1999 when he was elected provincial prior of the Midwest Augustinians. In 2001, he was elected Prior General of the worldwide Augustinian Order, headquartered in Rome. He was re-elected for a second six-year term in 2007.
As Prior General, he traveled extensively to visit Augustinian communities around the world. His leadership was marked by a strong commitment to the unity of the Order, deep spiritual renewal, and faithfulness to the teachings of St. Augustine.
Episcopal Ministry in Peru
In November 2014, Pope Francis appointed him as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru. He was consecrated as bishop on December 12, 2014, and officially took over the diocese on September 26, 2015.
As bishop, he focused on rebuilding trust in the Church, improving educational outreach, and revitalizing rural parishes. He served on the permanent council of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference from 2018 to 2020 and led its Commission for Education and Culture from 2019. He was also involved with Caritas Peru, reflecting his broader commitment to humanitarian service.
Roles in the Roman Curia
In 2020, Cardinal Prevost was appointed a member of the Congregation for Bishops, one of the Vatican’s most influential bodies. On January 30, 2023, Pope Francis elevated him to Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America — roles that placed him at the very heart of Church governance.
In these posts, he helped select and vet bishops from around the world, known for emphasizing pastoral experience and doctrinal integrity. He was created a cardinal on September 30, 2023, and assigned the titular church of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani. On February 6, 2025, he was promoted to Cardinal-Bishop of the Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano.
Election as Pope Leo XIV
Following the death of Pope Francis, the world watched as the College of Cardinals gathered in Rome to elect a new leader for the Catholic Church. The conclave lasted just two days. After initial rounds of inconclusive voting, signaled by black smoke on the morning of May 8, a consensus was finally reached later that day.
When white smoke appeared above the Sistine Chapel, Catholics around the world rejoiced. Robert Francis Prevost had been elected as the 267th pope. His decision to take the name Leo XIV is widely seen as a nod to Leo XIII, a reform-minded pope known for his social teachings.
Vision and Legacy
Pope Leo XIV’s episcopal motto, “In illo uno unum” — “In the one Christ we are one” — speaks to his passion for unity in diversity. His pontificate is expected to carry forward the reformist spirit of Pope Francis while emphasizing missionary outreach, the empowerment of local churches, and dialogue with cultures around the world.
With his background in Latin America, academic expertise in canon law, and roots in the urban heart of Chicago, Pope Leo XIV stands as a bridge between continents and cultures. His election signals not just a geographical shift, but a spiritual one — toward a Church that listens, accompanies, and embraces its universal mission with renewed vigor.
