Biography of Pope Leo XIV: The First American Pope (What You Need To Know)
Early Life and Education
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Francis Prevost, who would become Pope Leo XIV, grew up in a devout Catholic family of French, Italian, and Spanish descent. Raised in Chicago’s south suburbs, his father, Louis Marius Prevost, was a school principal, and his mother, Mildred Martínez, was active in St. Mary of the Assumption parish. With two brothers, Louis and John, Prevost displayed patience and resolve from a young age. He graduated from Villanova University in 1977 with a mathematics degree, later earning a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Fluent in five languages—English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French—he also understands Latin and German.
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Religious Calling and Ministry
Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977, taking solemn vows in 1981 and becoming ordained in 1982. His early ministry included teaching math and physics at Chicago’s St. Rita High School and serving at St. Gabriel Parish. His missionary zeal led him to Peru from 1985 to 1998, where he worked as a parish pastor, seminary professor, and diocesan official. From 2001 to 2013, he served as Prior General of the Augustinians, overseeing the order’s global mission of poverty, service, and evangelization, solidifying his reputation as a compassionate leader.
Rise in the Church Hierarchy
In 2014, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, where he became a Peruvian citizen in 2015. His work focused on the poor, earning widespread respect. In 2023, Francis called him to Rome as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a role overseeing bishop nominations worldwide. Prevost led a historic reform, adding three women to the voting bloc for bishop selections. Elevated to cardinal in 2023, he emerged as a papabile—a leading candidate for the papacy—before his historic election.
Historic Election as Pope Leo XIV
On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Prevost was elected the 267th pope, taking the name Leo XIV, becoming the first American-born pope and the first Augustinian friar to lead the Catholic Church. His election broke a long-standing taboo against a U.S. pope due to America’s geopolitical influence. A dual U.S.-Peruvian citizen, his global perspective and alignment with Francis’s progressive reforms shaped his rise. The choice of Leo, evoking Pope Leo XIII’s advocacy for workers’ rights, signaled his commitment to social justice.
Vision for the Papacy
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Leo XIV’s papacy emphasizes continuity with Francis’s focus on social justice, migration, and environmental stewardship. In his first address from St. Peter’s Basilica, he called for a “missionary church” that builds bridges and fosters dialogue, urging unity and peace. His decades in Peru and Augustinian values of harmony and humility position him to address polarization in the Church, declining faith in Europe, and scrutiny over past abuse allegations. As the first North American pope, his leadership promises inclusivity and renewal, with Chicagoans celebrating their “hometown pope.”