10 Things To Know About New Pope Leo XIV

On May 8, 2025, tens of thousands filled St. Peter’s Square, erupting in cheers as Robert Francis Prevost, newly elected as Pope Leo XIV, appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Smiling, waving with both hands, and bowing, the first American pope marked a historic moment for the Catholic Church. Prevost, a 69-year-old from Chicago, was chosen by cardinals worldwide to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, succeeding Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025.

Here are 10 key facts about Pope Leo XIV:

1. Chicago Roots: Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, Robert Francis Prevost grew up in a devout Catholic family in Dolton, Illinois. His father, Louis, a school superintendent, and mother, Mildred, a librarian, instilled a deep faith, with Prevost serving as an altar boy at St. Mary of the Assumption parish.
2. Augustinian Vocation: Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977, entering the novitiate in St. Louis. He took solemn vows in 1981, embracing the order’s emphasis on community, service, and missionary work, which shaped his lifelong ministry.
3. Academic Achievements: He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University (1977), a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and a licentiate and doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. His 1987 doctoral thesis explored the role of the local prior in the Augustinian Order.
4. Ordination and Early Ministry: Ordained a priest on June 19, 1982, by Archbishop Jean Jadot, Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985, serving as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas (1985–1986) and working with marginalized communities.
5. Missionary in Peru: From 1988 to 1998, Prevost led the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, Peru, teaching canon law, serving as a parish pastor, diocesan official, and judicial vicar. His deep integration into Peruvian culture earned him the nickname “Latin Yankee” and Peruvian citizenship in 2015.
6. Leadership in Chicago: In 1999, Prevost returned to Chicago as provincial prior of the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel. His administrative skills led to his election as prior general of the global Augustinian Order in 2001, serving two terms until 2013.
7. Episcopal Appointments: In 2014, Pope Francis named Prevost apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, and he was consecrated bishop in 2015. He also served as apostolic administrator of Callao (2020–2021) and held key roles in the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference, including vice-president (2018–2023).
8. Vatican Role: In January 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing global bishop selections. He implemented Francis’s vision of pastoral leadership and introduced reforms, including adding women to the voting bloc for nominations.
9. Cardinal and Papal Election: Elevated to cardinal on September 30, 2023, Prevost’s high-profile Vatican role made him a familiar figure among cardinals. On May 8, 2025, he secured a two-thirds majority on the fourth ballot, becoming Pope Leo XIV.
10. Alignment with Francis’s Vision: Known for his alignment with Pope Francis’s focus on social justice, synodality, and outreach to the marginalized, Prevost’s global experience, fluency in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese), and calm leadership style position him to continue this legacy as a “dignified middle of the road” pontiff.