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Leo XIV: Biography of the New American Pope and Successor to Francis
On May 8, 2025, the Catholic Church elected its 267th pontiff: Robert Francis Prevost, aged 69, now known as Pope Leo XIV. This discreet and moderate American cardinal succeeds Pope Francis, signaling continuity and stability within the Vatican. His swift election in the fourth round of the conclave reflects the College of Cardinals' desire for a smooth transition.
An American Pope for the Catholic Church
Born in Chicago, to a Franco-Italian father and a Spanish mother, Robert Francis Prevost brings international roots and a pastoral spirit. A member of the Order of Saint Augustine, he served for many years as a missionary in Peru, mastering several languages including Spanish, Italian, and English.
Appointed cardinal in 2023 by Pope Francis, Prevost has been seen as a man of listening, prudence, and reform-minded moderation.
By choosing the name Leo XIV, he aligns himself with a papal lineage marked by peace, dialogue, and institutional wisdom. His first words from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica were simple and powerful:
“Peace be with you all!”
Origins and Formation
Born into a culturally diverse American family, Robert Prevost grew up in Dolton, a suburb of Chicago, alongside his brothers Louis Martín and John Joseph. His father, Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, was a school principal and an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His mother, Mildred Agnes Martinez, a highly active librarian in their parish, descended from Creole, Haitian, and Spanish lines, including African-descendant ancestors. This makes Pope Leo XIV the first pope of Sub-Saharan African descent since antiquity.
The paternal branch of his family also includes a French grandmother, Suzanne Fontaine, born in Le Havre and immigrated to New York in 1915.
A polyglot, Pope Leo XIV speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese. He is also proficient in German and Latin for reading purposes. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Villanova University in 1977, before joining the Augustinian order. He made his solemn vows in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1982 in Rome. He continued his studies in Canon Law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, obtaining his degree in 1984.
Missionary Ministry and Canonical Commitment
Sent to Peru in 1985, Pope Leo XIV held various positions: Chancellor of the Chulucanas Prelature, Director of the Augustinian Seminary of Trujillo, Canon Law professor, Prefect of Studies, Ecclesiastical Court member, and Pastor of a quasi-parish in a disadvantaged neighborhood.
Returning to the United States in 1987, he worked on promoting vocations before returning to Peru in 1988 for a ten-year ministry. In 1998, he was elected Provincial of the Midwest American Augustinian Province and moved back to Chicago.
In 2001, he was elected Prior General of the Augustinian Order, a position he held until 2013 after a renewed mandate. Between 2013 and 2014, he held various roles in the Augustinian Province, including Director of Studies and Provincial Vicar.
A controversy regarding the housing of a priest accused of abuse in a residence near a high school emerged in 2000 but was refuted by several sources, including journalist Pedro Salinas, as an attempt to discredit him by those opposed to his positions against extremist organizations.
Bishop in Peru
On November 3, 2014, Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo and Titular Bishop of Sufar. He received episcopal ordination on December 12, 2014, and became Bishop of Chiclayo in September 2015. That same year, in accordance with Peruvian law, he obtained Peruvian citizenship.
He chose the motto "In illo uno unum," drawn from Saint Augustine's commentary on Psalm 127: "Although we are many, we are one in Christ." His coat of arms includes the seal of his order, a Marian fleur-de-lis, and symbols of the Gospel.
From 2020 to 2021, he also served as interim bishop of the Diocese of Callao. A member of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, he held various responsibilities, including Vice-President and President of the Education and Culture Commission.
Prefect of the Dicastery and Cardinal
In January 2023, he succeeded Marc Ouellet as head of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Pope Francis elevated him to the cardinalate during the consistory on September 30, 2023, assigning him the title of Santa Monica.
On February 3, 2025, he intervened on social media to correct a controversial interpretation by an American political figure about the hierarchy of Christian love. On February 6, he was promoted to Cardinal-Bishop of the Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano.
Papal Election
The conclave of May 8, 2025, led to his election on the fourth ballot. He became the first pope from the United States and Peru, as well as the first Augustinian pope in centuries. Although he was not a frontrunner, his profile as a mediator and loyal disciple of Pope Francis made him a consensus candidate. He chose the name Leo XIV, in reference to Pope Leo XIII and his social doctrine.
His first public appearance from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica marked a return to some traditional symbols, such as the mozzetta and red stole, which his predecessor had omitted. He first addressed the crowd in Italian and Spanish before giving his Urbi et Orbi blessing in Latin.
The Vatican emphasized that he was the first pope born in the United States, the first North American citizen, the first English-speaking pope since Adrian IV, and the second pope from the Americas after Francis.
Beginnings of the Papacy
On May 9, 2025, Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first papal mass in the Sistine Chapel, denouncing the hold of "false securities" like money, technology, and the pursuit of power. On May 11, he presided over a mass in honor of the Virgin Mary from the loggia of St. Peter's. The following day, he met with the global press.
The inaugural mass of his papacy is scheduled for May 18, 2025.
Distinctions and Coat of Arms
His coat of arms includes a fleur-de-lis, a pierced heart in flames, and an Evangelist symbol, all accompanied by his motto: "In illo uno unum." Like his predecessors, Pope Leo XIV becomes ex officio Grand Master of the pontifical chivalric orders: the Order of Christ, the Order of the Golden Spur, the Order of Pius IX, the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, and the Order of Saint Sylvester.
Quick Facts About Leo XIV
Full Name Robert Francis Prevost
Born Chicago, USA
Nationality American
Religious Order Order of Saint Augustine
Previous Roles Cardinal (2023), Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Missionary in Peru
Languages Spanish, Italian, English
Style Moderate, diplomatic, experienced
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pope Leo XIV Biography
What makes Pope Leo XIV’s biography historically significant?
The biography of Pope Leo XIV is historically significant because he is the first pope from the United States and Peru, and the first Augustinian elected in centuries. His multicultural background, American nationality, and pastoral work in Latin America make his profile unique in the history of the Church.
Why did Robert Francis Prevost choose the name Leo XIV?
Pope Leo XIV chose his papal name in reference to Pope Leo XIII, known for his emphasis on social teaching and dialogue. This choice signals a continuity of values centered on peace, justice, and thoughtful reform—key themes throughout Pope Leo XIV’s biography.
What is Pope Leo XIV’s cultural and family background?
Leo XIV was born in Chicago to a Franco-Italian father and a Spanish-Creole mother. His biography highlights a richly diverse heritage, including African-descendant ancestry, making him the first pope of Sub-Saharan African descent since early Christian times.
What were Pope Leo XIV’s key roles before becoming pope?
Before becoming pope, Leo XIV served as a missionary in Peru, was Prior General of the Augustinian Order, Bishop of Chiclayo, and Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. These experiences are central to Pope Leo XIV’s biography, showing a path marked by leadership and service.
How does Pope Leo XIV’s biography reflect his values?
His biography reveals a man committed to humility, intercultural dialogue, and pastoral presence. His choice of a simple lifestyle, missionary dedication, and multilingual fluency reflect his desire to serve a global Church with compassion and integrity.
What are the main themes of Pope Leo XIV’s early papacy?
In the first days of his papacy, Leo XIV emphasized rejecting false securities, embracing ecological responsibility, and returning to spiritual essentials. These themes are deeply rooted in his biography as a moderate reformer shaped by decades of missionary and administrative work.