Pope Leo XIV (born Robert Francis Prevost, September 14, 1955) is the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. Elected on May 8, 2025, he became the first American-born pontiff in history, marking a monumental moment for the global Church and for the faithful in the Western Hemisphere.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Leo XIV’s journey from the streets of the Midwest to the Apostolic Palace is a testament to a lifetime of devotion, scholarship, and quiet leadership. He entered the Order of St. Augustine, professing solemn vows that would lay the foundation for a future of ecclesial service that spanned continents and cultures. He was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982, by Archbishop Jean Jadot, embarking on a vocation deeply rooted in pastoral care, academic formation, and global mission.
A graduate of Villanova University, Catholic Theological Union, and the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, where he earned both Licentiate and Doctorate degrees in Canon Law, Robert Prevost quickly emerged as a scholar-practitioner within the Augustinian order. His theological clarity and administrative acumen led to his election as Prior General of the Augustinians from 2001 to 2013, where he oversaw the global order through a period of renewal and growth.
His episcopal ministry began in 2014, when he was appointed Titular Bishop of Sufar and Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo, Peru—a region he would later shepherd as its bishop from 2015 to 2023. Pope Francis recognized his deep pastoral sensitivity and doctrinal wisdom, elevating him to the College of Cardinals on September 30, 2023, assigning him the title of Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Monica.
Soon after, he was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, key roles that placed him at the heart of episcopal appointments and regional Church affairs. In 2025, he was promoted to Cardinal-Bishop of Albano, one of the highest ranks within the College of Cardinals.
Following the death of Pope Francis, Cardinal Prevost participated in the 2025 Papal Conclave, where his blend of humility, global pastoral experience, and doctrinal integrity drew widespread support. On the evening of May 8, 2025, white smoke rose above St. Peter’s Basilica announcing his election as Pope. He chose the name Leo XIV, evoking the legacy of previous Popes Leo—particularly Leo the Great and Leo XIII—known respectively for theological defense and social teaching.
Pope Leo XIV’s papal motto, “In illo uno unum”—“In the One [Christ], we are one”—encapsulates his vision for a Church united in Christ across nations, cultures, and ideological divides. At 69, his papacy signals both continuity with the reforms of his predecessor and a renewed focus on ecclesial unity, transparency in governance, and evangelization in the modern world.
Pope Leo XIV now stands as a bridge between tradition and renewal, North and South, America and Rome—shepherding over 1.3 billion Catholics with a heart formed in the Gospel and a mind shaped by decades of service to the People of God.
