Robert Francis Prevost, aged 69, has become the 267th Pope and will be called Pope Leo XIV. He is the first American to become Pope, but is also closely linked to Latin America due to his many years as a missionary in Peru. Born in Chicago in 1955 to Spanish and Franco-Italian parents, he became an altar boy and was ordained as a priest in 1982. He moved to Peru in 1985 but often returned to the U.S. to serve in churches there. He holds Peruvian citizenship and is warmly remembered for supporting poor communities and uniting people. In Peru, he spent 10 years as a local pastor and seminary teacher in Trujillo.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now called Pope Leo XIV, is the first Pope from the United States. He also recently led an important Vatican office that chose new bishops. His election shows that the Church wants to continue the path started by the late Pope Francis, especially in making changes and focusing on helping the poor and those in need.
Who is Pope Leo?
Pope Leo XIV, was born in Chicago but was seen as the “least American” of the U.S. cardinals within the Vatican. This was largely because he spent many years in Peru, where he worked for a decade in Trujillo and later served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2014 to 2023. He speaks fluent Spanish and Italian, both of which he used during his first public speech as pope in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis held him in high regard, seeing him as a capable and thoughtful leader. According to CNN’s Vatican correspondent, Pope Francis respected Prevost and valued his calm, balanced, and clear leadership style. As a member of the Augustinian order, Pope Leo led the group globally for more than ten years and proudly identified as a follower of St. Augustine. In his first remarks, he quoted the saint to express unity within the Church.
Prevost has strong leadership experience. He was chosen by Pope Francis to lead the Vatican’s office responsible for selecting new bishops and also served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. From a young age, he held leadership positions and was known for his steady and fair approach.
He sees himself as a missionary at heart, stating that every Christian’s role is to spread the Gospel. His time in Peru, where he worked closely with local communities, deeply shaped him. Though born in the U.S., he also became a Peruvian citizen in 2015. His election was celebrated in Peru as a proud moment for the country.
Pope Leo chose his name in honor of Pope Leo XIII, who was known for standing up for workers and the poor. This reflects his own commitment to social justice and helping the marginalized. He is expected to continue Pope Francis’s efforts to reform the Church, focusing on inclusion, poverty, and global unity, while maintaining moderate views on Catholic teachings.
In addition to his religious and leadership roles, Prevost studied mathematics at Villanova University and later earned degrees in theology and canon law. He also taught canon law in Peru. In his personal life, he enjoys playing tennis, reading, walking, and exploring new places, describing himself as an amateur tennis player eager to return to the court.
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