Pope Leo

Pope Leo XIV

The words “Habemus papam!” “We have a pope!” have been uttered joyfully from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for centuries. However, 2025 was the first time in history that the name of an American cardinal was mentioned as the new successor of St. Peter.

Robert Francis Prevost was born in Chicago in 1955 and raised in the southwest suburb of Dolton, the son of a librarian mother and educator father.  “Bob” completed his secondary education at St. Augustine Seminary in Holland, Michigan, which was his first exposure to the Congregation of St. Augustine.  After studying math at Villanova University, another Augustinian institution, Prevost then responded to his vocational call by entering the Order of St. Augustine in 1977. After theological studies at Chicago Theological Union and a time teaching at St. Rita High School on Chicago’s south side, Prevost earned at Licentiate of Canon Law in 1984 followed by a canon law degree from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas in Rome.

After Prevost was ordained in 1982, his education took on a more practical and pastoral dimension when he was sent to the Augustinian mission in Peru. This began a lifelong love affair with the country of Peru and the suffering of the marginalized and oppressed. During the administration of President Alberto Fujimori, Prevost became a vocal opponent of governmental oppression and the violent extremes of the Marxist group “Shining Path”.

In 2015 Pope Francis appointed Prevost as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru and he became a naturalized citizen.  In 2023 Pope Francis appointed Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for bishops and in 2025 was elevated to Cardinal with the red hat. Prevost continued to show solidarity with his mentor and friend Pope Francis with the poor, oppressed, marginalized and voiceless.

Upon the death of Pope Francis, Prevost was elected pope and took the name of Leo XIV.