Pope Leo XIV waves as he arrives at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore), in Rome, Italy, May 10, 2025. PHOTO/REUTERS
Born Robert Francis Prevost, who is now known to the world as Pope Leo XIV. He was born on September 14, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, US. In 1977, he entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) in the Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel, located in St Louis, according to Vatican press sources. He professed his solemn vows on August 29, 1981. Prevost studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he earned a diploma in theology.
Academic and missionary path
At the age of 27, he was sent to Rome by the Order to pursue studies in Canon law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, also known as the Angelicum. He was ordained priest on June 19, 1982. After receiving his licentiate in 1984, he was assigned to missionary service in Chulucanas, Piura, Peru from 1985 to 1986. In 1987, he completed a thesis titled The office and authority of the Local Prior in the Order of Saint Augustine for which he was awarded a doctorate. He has since authored various journals and books.
Rise in the church
Chosen by Pope Francis, the prelate succeeded Cardinal Marc Ouellet as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Ouellet, a Canadian prelate, had held the position since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on June 30, 2010. Prevost made history as the first US Augustinian to be elevated to the College of Cardinals and the first Villanova University PhD from the Order of Saint Augustine to do so. In a 2023 interview, with The Villanovan, Fr Bernie Scianna even speculated that he could become the first Augustinian and American pope.
Personal life and interests
Known to friends and colleagues as “Bob”, Pope Leo XIV has two brothers, Louis and John. His mother, Mildred died on June 18, 1990 and his father, also named Louis Prevost passed away on November 8, 1997. In his personal time, Leo enjoys tennis and once expressed hope that his move to Rome would offer more chances to play than during his time in Peru. A devoted baseball fan, he is reportedly a supporter of the Chicago Cubs—though his brother John claims he was always a White Sox fan. He is also known to enjoy playing Wordle, a web-based word game created and developed by the Welsh software engineer Josh Wardle, as noted in various reports. During his high school years at St Augustine Seminary High School, he served as editor-in-chief of the yearbook and secretary of the Student Council.
Vision and values
Fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese and able to read Latin and German, Pope Leo XIV is known for his pastoral and multilingual engagement with the global church. He is closely aligned with Pope Francis’ priorities, especially regarding care for the environment, outreach to the poor and immigrants, and the importance of a church that accompanies people in real-life situations.
“The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom, but rather called authentically to be humble, to be close to the people he serves, to walk with them and to suffer with them,” Pope Leo XIV said. He has also supported Pope Francis’ pastoral reform that allows divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion, reflecting a compassionate and inclusive vision of Church leadership. We wish Pope Leo XIV the best!
