Birth Name: Robert Francis Prevost
Date of Birth: September 14, 1955
Country of Origin: United States
Papal Name Chosen: Pope Leo XIV
Elected as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church: May 8, 2025
First Words as Pope: “Peace be with all of you!” — the first words of Pope Leo XIV. The conclave has elected Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as the 267th Bishop of Rome. The new pope was announced to the waiting crowds by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti. (Vatican News)
Background
Before his election to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in the Roman Curia. A member of the Order of St. Augustine, he spent many years in missionary service, particularly in Latin America. His pastoral approach and deep commitment to evangelization have remained at the heart of his vocation.
"I still consider myself a missionary," he told Vatican News. "My vocation, like that of every Christian, is to be a missionary, to proclaim the Gospel wherever one is."
During a talk at St. Jude Parish in Chicago in August, the then-cardinal reflected on his appointment by Pope Francis, stating:
“He did not want someone from the Roman Curia to take on this role. He wanted a missionary; he wanted someone from outside; he wanted someone who would come in with a different perspective.”
— Catholic Review
Pastoral vision
Pope Leo XIV is widely known for his emphasis on humility, closeness to the faithful, and servant leadership. Reflecting on the role of bishops, he shared in an interview:
"The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom," but is "called authentically to be humble, to be close to the people he serves, to walk with them, to suffer with them."
— The New York Times
His pontificate is expected to be marked by a continued focus on missionary discipleship, pastoral care, and a Church that journeys with the people of God.
History and teachings
History
- Born in Chicago on September 14, 1955
- Holds dual nationality: American and Peruvian
- Multilingual: English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese; reads Latin and German
- Raised in a faith-filled home: his mother, Mildred Martínez (Spanish descent), often hosted priests; his father, Louis Marius Prevost (French and Italian roots), served as a catechist
- Inspired by parish life as an altar server and student in Catholic schools
- Joined an Augustinian minor seminary, drawn to the order's emphasis on unity and the teachings of St. Augustine
- 1977: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Villanova University
- 1982: Ordained a priest by Archbishop Jean Jadot
- 1982: Master of Divinity, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago
- 1984: Licentiate in Canon Law, Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome
- 1987: Doctorate in Canon Law, Angelicum, Rome
- Served a decade in the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas, Peru, as community prior, director of formation, teacher, judicial vicar, and professor
- Naturalized Peruvian citizen in 2015
- 1999: Elected provincial prior of the Midwest Augustinians
- 2001–2013: Served two terms as prior general of the worldwide Augustinian order
- 2014: Appointed apostolic administrator of Chiclayo, Peru; became bishop in 2015
- 2020: Appointed to the Dicastery for Bishops
- 2023: Named prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis, succeeding Cardinal Marc Ouellet
- Known for emphasizing obedience, rooted in his Augustinian vows
- Recreational tennis player, though rarely plays due to responsibilities in Rome
- 2023: Elevated to cardinal at age 69
- 2025: Became the first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church