Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, has been chosen as the 267th pope, marking a historic milestone as the first American to hold the position. He will take the name Leo XIV and is set to address the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Early Life and Upbringing
Born on September 14, 1955, at Mercy Hospital in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, Robert Francis Prevost grew up in a devout Catholic family in Dolton, Illinois, a suburb bordering Chicago’s South Side. His father, Louis Marius Prevost, a World War II Navy veteran and superintendent of Brookwood School District 167, was of French and Italian descent. His mother, Mildred Martínez Prevost, a librarian, was of Spanish descent, with roots tracing back to Louisiana Creole ancestry, including African, French, and Spanish heritage. Prevost, the youngest of three brothers, including Louis and John, was immersed in faith from an early age at St. Mary of the Assumption parish. There, he served as an altar boy, sang in the choir, and attended the parish school, where his mother was actively involved in church activities. The Prevost household frequently welcomed priests, drawn by Mildred’s cooking, fostering a close connection to the clergy that influenced young Robert’s discernment of a priestly vocation. His father’s role as a catechist and the vibrant parish life further nurtured his spiritual calling.
Education and Early Religious Life
Prevost’s intellectual and spiritual formation began at St. Augustine Seminary High School, where he was exposed to the Augustinian Order’s emphasis on community and service. He pursued a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Villanova University, a prominent Augustinian institution, graduating in 1977. During this time, he also studied philosophy, laying the groundwork for his theological pursuits. In 1977, he entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine in St. Louis, taking solemn vows in 1981. Prevost continued his education at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, earning a Master of Divinity, and later studied in Rome at the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). There, he obtained a licentiate in canon law in 1984 and a doctorate in 1987, with his thesis titled “The Role of the Local Prior in the Order of Saint Augustine.” Ordained a priest on June 19, 1982, by Archbishop Jean Jadot, Prevost’s early career blended academic rigor with a commitment to the Augustinian ideals of communal life and missionary outreach.
Missionary Work and Service in Peru
Prevost’s missionary zeal led him to Peru in 1985, where he served in the Diocese of Chulucanas in Piura, working with marginalized communities. He returned briefly to the U.S. in 1986 but was back in Peru by 1988, directing an Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and serving as a parish pastor, diocesan official, and administrator. His decade-long tenure in Trujillo earned him the nickname “Latin Yankee” in Rome for his deep integration into Peruvian culture, culminating in his naturalization as a Peruvian citizen in 2015. Prevost’s focus on the poor and dispossessed mirrored the social justice priorities of Pope Francis, and his fluency in Spanish, Italian, English, French, and Portuguese facilitated his work in diverse communities. His efforts included supporting Venezuelan migrants in Peru and visiting remote parishes, earning praise for his humility and accessibility.
Leadership in the Augustinian Order
In 1999, Prevost returned to Chicago to lead the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel. His administrative acumen led to his election in 2001 as Prior General of the worldwide Order of Saint Augustine, a role he held for two six-year terms until 2013. Overseeing more than 2,000 priests, he traveled extensively, visiting Augustinian communities globally and honing his skills as a deft leader. His tenure was marked by a reputation for listening and fostering unity, qualities that later defined his episcopal roles. After stepping down, he served briefly as director of formation at the Convent of St. Augustine in Chicago before being called back to Peru.
Episcopal Roles and Vatican Appointments
In 2014, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in northwestern Peru, elevating him to titular bishop of Sufar. He was consecrated on December 12, 2014, and named bishop of Chiclayo in 2015. During his tenure, he served on the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference’s permanent council (2018–2020), was vice-president, and chaired its Commission for Education and Culture. He also acted as apostolic administrator of Callao (2020–2021) and contributed to Caritas Peru, playing a stabilizing role during Peru’s political crises from 2018 to 2022. In 2023, Pope Francis brought Prevost to Rome, appointing him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and elevating him to cardinal on September 30, 2023. As prefect, Prevost oversaw the selection of bishops worldwide, implementing Francis’s vision of pastoral leadership by prioritizing candidates who were “pastors first.” Notably, he presided over a reform adding three women to the voting bloc for bishop nominations, a significant step toward inclusivity.
Rise to the Papacy
Prevost’s election as Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, followed the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. The conclave, held over two days, saw Prevost secure a two-thirds majority on the fourth ballot after three unsuccessful votes. His selection broke a long-standing taboo against an American pope, attributed to geopolitical concerns about U.S. influence. However, Prevost’s global experience, Peruvian citizenship, and alignment with Francis’s progressive yet pragmatic agenda made him a compelling candidate. Known as a “dignified middle of the road” figure, he appealed to cardinals seeking continuity with Francis’s focus on synodality, social justice, and outreach to the marginalized, while offering a more discreet and administrative style. His high-profile role in the Dicastery for Bishops ensured familiarity among the 133 voting cardinals, 80% of whom were Francis appointees.
Controversies
Prevost’s rise was not without criticism. Allegations surfaced that he mishandled sexual abuse cases involving priests in Peru and the U.S. In Peru, victims claimed he failed to thoroughly investigate accusations against two priests in 2007, though the Diocese of Chiclayo maintained he followed canonical norms and encouraged civil action. In the U.S., a case from his time as provincial in Chicago (1999–2001) involved a priest who remained in ministry near a school despite prior convictions, though the priest was later removed and laicized. Supporters argue these cases were unfairly reported, emphasizing Prevost’s adherence to protocol and his innocence.
First Moments as Pope
White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel at 6:10 p.m. on May 8, 2025, prompting cheers of “Viva il papa!” from thousands in St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced Prevost as Pope Leo XIV from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he delivered his first address in Italian, beginning with, “Peace be with you all.” Clad in traditional red and gold vestments, he spoke of continuing Francis’s mission, emphasizing peace, charity, and closeness to the suffering. His choice of the name Leo, evoking strength and continuity with Leo XIII, signaled his intent to blend tradition with reform.
Legacy and Expectations
Prevost’s election as the first Augustinian pope, the first North American, and the second from the Americas reflects a Church seeking a bridge between its global and Western identities. His pastoral heart, managerial experience, and global vision, as noted by historian Kathleen Sprows Cummings, position him to navigate the Church’s internal divisions and external challenges. While his papacy is expected to echo Francis’s commitment to the poor, migrants, and the environment, Prevost’s calm and discerning approach may offer a stabilizing influence in a polarized world.
