ROBERT PREVOST: 10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW POPE, LEO XIV
History was made on a momentous Wednesday afternoon in St. Peter’s Square. A sea of faithful erupted in joy as Senior Cardinal Dominique Mamberti stepped onto the balcony and declared the sacred Latin phrase: “Habemus Papam” — “We have a pope.”
With those words, 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States was announced as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, taking on the name Pope Leo XIV. His election marks a watershed moment: he becomes the first American pope to lead the world’s estimated 1.4 billion Catholics.
Addressing the global Church in Italian, Pope Leo XIV paid homage to his predecessor, describing him as “courageous and blessed Rome,” signaling both reverence and readiness for the path ahead.
As the world watches this historic transition, here are 10 key things to know about the man now at the helm of the Holy See:
1. A Humble Beginning in Chicago
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Prevost is the son of Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martinez, with Midwestern roots and a deeply Catholic upbringing that shaped his spiritual trajectory.
2. A Life Devoted to the Augustinian Order
In 1977, Prevost entered the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) and made his solemn vows by 1981, embracing a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the footsteps of St. Augustine.
3. A Voice for Mission and Tradition
Known for his missionary zeal, Prevost spent years in Peru, championing community-based ministry and leadership. As the former prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, he was pivotal in shaping the Church’s future hierarchy.
4. Academic Excellence Across Two Continents
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University and a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. His academic journey culminated in a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome — where his thesis explored leadership in religious life.
5. Ordained in 1982, Sent to Serve
Shortly after his ordination, Prevost was deployed to Chulucanas, Peru, where he served as chancellor of the Territorial Prélature — a post that laid the foundation for his deep ties to Latin America.
6. A Decade of Influence in Peru
From 1988 to 1998, he led the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, taught canon law, and served in multiple pastoral and administrative roles. His legacy there includes fostering local vocations and strengthening ecclesiastical education.
7. Leadership at Home and Abroad
Returning to Chicago in 1999, he was elected provincial prior of the “Mother of Good Counsel” province. His influence grew when he became prior general of the worldwide Augustinian Order, serving two terms until 2013.
8. Return to Peru as Shepherd
In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him apostolic administrator of Chiclayo, later confirming him as bishop in 2015. He also served as vice-president of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference, earning respect for his leadership and diplomacy.
9. Expanding His Role Across Dioceses
Prevost briefly served as apostolic administrator of Callao from 2020 to 2021, helping stabilize the diocese during a transitional period.
10. A Strategic Appointment Before His Rise
In January 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, entrusting him with one of the most powerful roles in the Vatican. He was made Cardinal in September 2023 — a move that quietly set the stage for his eventual election to the papacy in April 2025 following Pope Francis’s passing.
Now known as Pope Leo XIV, this American-born pontiff steps into history with a blend of academic rigor, pastoral heart, and global perspective. As he assumes the mantle of St. Peter, the world watches; hopeful, curious, and prayerful for what his papacy will bring.
