Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. His election by 133 cardinals in the Sistine Chapel follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. With his election, the Church enters a new era marked by deep spiritual tradition, global perspective, and a commitment to unity.
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Leo XIV is the first American Augustinian to ascend to the papacy. The son of Louis Marius Prevost, a French-Italian catechist, and Mildred Martínez of Spanish descent, he grew up in a devout Catholic home where faith and hospitality were central. Early experiences as an altar server and close family ties to clergy helped shape his religious vocation.
He entered the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977 after earning a mathematics degree from Villanova University. His theological and canonical training at the Catholic Theological Union and Rome’s Angelicum culminated in a doctorate in canon law. Ordained in 1982, Prevost spent much of his early ministry in Peru, serving as a missionary, seminary rector, and judicial vicar.
In 2001, he was elected Prior General of the Augustinian Order, a position he held for two terms. His leadership was marked by global outreach and formation. Appointed bishop of Chiclayo in 2015, he played a stabilizing role during Peru’s turbulent political climate. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, where he gained widespread respect for his discerning pastoral judgment.
As Pope Leo XIV, he brings to the papacy not only decades of ecclesial leadership but also a clear Augustinian charism of communion and humility. His election signals a renewed emphasis on listening, pastoral care, and missionary spirit. Deeply respected across Latin America and beyond, he is expected to guide the global Church with wisdom rooted in tradition and a heart attuned to the needs of the faithful.
Leo XIV’s pontificate begins with great hope, grounded in a life dedicated to service, unity, and the transformative power of the Gospel.
