Pope Leo XIV

Stored: Pope Leo XIV

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
Bishop of Diocese of Rome
Home diocese:	Diocese of Chiclayo
Other diocese 1:	Titular See of Sufar
Other diocese 2:	Albano
Other diocese 3:
Ordination:	19 June 1982 by Archbishop Jean Jadot
Consecration:	12 December 2014 by Archbishop James P. Green
Rank:	Pope
Created cardinal:	30 September 2023 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born:	Robert Francis Prevost 14 September 1955 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died:
Nationality:	United States
Education:	Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas
Motto:	"Fiat voluntas tua"
Role:	Pope
Theology:	Moderate
Region:	Global
Rite:	Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility:	Ineligible

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., on (1955-09-14) September 14, 1955, is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, elected the 267th pope on April 23, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025.

An Augustinian friar, he was ordained a priest in 1982, consecrated a bishop in 2014, and elevated to cardinal in 2023 by Pope Francis, becoming Cardinal-Bishop of Albano in February 2025. Prior to his papacy, Prevost served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America (2023–2025), Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2015–2023), and Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine (2001–2013). Known for his moderate theology and administrative acumen, reflected in his motto "Fiat voluntas tua" ("Thy will be done"), he is the first American pope, breaking a long-standing taboo, and brings a global perspective shaped by extensive missionary work in Peru (1985–1998).

Prevost’s papacy emphasizes synodality, pastoral care, and continuity with Francis’ focus on a “Church of the poor,” while navigating challenges like the 2022 Chiclayo abuse case controversy, which alleged mishandling of priestly misconduct (denied by the diocese). His voting record in U.S. elections—participating in the 2024, 2018, 2014, and 2012 general elections and Republican primaries in 2016, 2014, and 2012, plus two Democratic primaries in Illinois—has drawn attention, though it reflects civic engagement rather than explicit political alignment. His Peruvian experience and fluency in Spanish strengthen ties to Latin America, home to nearly 40% of global Catholics, while his canon law expertise and discreet leadership style position him to address the Church’s global challenges, including episcopal accountability under Vos estis lux mundi.

Biography

Birth and early life

Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to a family of French, Italian, and Spanish descent. Raised in a Catholic household, he attended the Augustinian minor seminary, completing secondary studies in 1973. His early exposure to the Order of Saint Augustine’s emphasis on community and mission sparked a vocation, leading him to join the order in 1977.

Growing up in post-Vatican II Chicago, Prevost was shaped by the Church’s engagement with urban diversity and social change. His mathematical aptitude and multilingual skills—fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian—emerged early, grounding his later missionary and administrative roles.

Education

Prevost earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1977, reflecting his analytical mindset. He studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, receiving a Master of Divinity in 1982. Sent to Rome by the Augustinians, he earned a licentiate (1984) and doctorate (1987) in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), with a dissertation on the role of the local prior in the Augustinian order.

His studies emphasized ecclesiastical governance, preparing him for curial and papal roles. His formation in Peru (1985–1986) and teaching experience in Chicago seminaries honed his ability to bridge academic theology with missionary practice.

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on June 19, 1982, by Archbishop Jean Jadot for the Augustinians in Rome, Prevost served briefly in Chicago before joining the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985. He was chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas (1985–1986) and, from 1988 to 1998, headed the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, served as judicial vicar, and taught canon law, patristics, and morals at the San Carlos e San Marcelo Major Seminary. His Peruvian tenure focused on vocations and pastoral care in underserved regions.

Returning to Chicago in 1999 as provincial of the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, he was elected Prior General of the Augustinians in 2001, serving until 2013, emphasizing missionary renewal and community governance.

Bishop and Cardinal

Consecrated titular Bishop of Sufar on December 12, 2014, by Archbishop James P. Green, Prevost served as Apostolic Administrator (2014–2015) and Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2015–2023), and Apostolic Administrator of Callao (2020–2021). Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023, he took office on April 12, 2023, succeeding Cardinal Marc Ouellet. Elevated to cardinal-deacon in September 2023 and cardinal-bishop of Albano in February 2025, he also oversaw the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. His curial role involved vetting bishops worldwide, prioritizing pastoral candidates aligned with Francis’ vision. A 2022 abuse case in Chiclayo, alleging failure to investigate priests, drew criticism, though the diocese denied cover-up claims.

Papacy

Elected Pope Leo XIV on April 23, 2025, during the conclave following Pope Francis’ death, Prevost became the first American pope, a historic milestone. His papacy focuses on synodality, global outreach, and addressing clerical abuse, building on his experience as Prefect and missionary. His U.S. voting record—general elections in 2024, 2018, 2014, and 2012, Republican primaries in 2016, 2014, and 2012, and two Democratic primaries—has been noted, reflecting civic participation in Illinois’ open primary system but not necessarily political affiliation. His global perspective, Latin American ties, and moderate theology position him to bridge North-South divides, though his relative youth (69 in 2025) and the Chiclayo controversy remain points of scrutiny.

Diocese/Office	Role	Start Date	End Date	Notes
Titular See of Sufar	Titular Bishop	12 December 2014	30 September 2023	Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo
Diocese of Chiclayo	Bishop	26 September 2015	12 April 2023	Faced abuse case controversy in 2022
Diocese of Callao	Apostolic Administrator	15 April 2020	26 May 2021	Temporary leadership role
Dicastery for Bishops	Prefect	12 April 2023	23 April 2025	Oversaw global bishop appointments
Albano	Cardinal-Bishop	6 February 2025	23 April 2025	Elevated to cardinal-bishop
Diocese of Rome	Pope	23 April 2025	Present	First American pope

Significant events

• Entered the Augustinian order in 1977.
• Ordained priest for the Augustinians in 1982.
• Consecrated titular Bishop of Sufar in 2014.
• Appointed Bishop of Chiclayo in 2015.
• Named Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023.
• Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.
• Elected Pope Leo XIV on April 23, 2025.

Books

Written about the bishop

• No known books specifically about Pope Leo XIV.

Written by the bishop

• No known books authored by Pope Leo XIV.

External links

• Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
• Biography of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost at Vatican Press Office
• Vatican News article on Prevost’s cardinal role