In a moment that will resonate through the centuries, the Roman Catholic Church made history on Thursday, May 8, when 133 cardinals from around the world elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as the 268th pontiff during only the second day of the papal conclave. The 69-year-old Chicago-born cleric becomes the first American-born pope, taking the papal name Leo XIV.
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Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, leaving behind a profound legacy of humility, compassion, and reform. With the election of Pope Leo XIV, the Church now turns to a leader whose life has spanned cultures, continents, and decades of pastoral and administrative service.
A Life Bridging North and South America
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Prevost spent the first 25 years of his life in the United States before dedicating his life to missionary service in Peru, where he would ultimately become a naturalized citizen. This dual identity—American by birth and Latin American by vocation—has shaped his worldview and ministry.
He is a member of the Order of St. Augustine, and much of his work has focused on both the spiritual and structural health of the Church, especially in regions facing poverty and institutional challenges. From 2015 to 2023, he served as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, where he earned the admiration of clergy and laity alike for his humility, deep faith, and commitment to social justice.
In 2023, he was appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most powerful roles in the Vatican, responsible for selecting bishops worldwide. He also served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, further strengthening his ties to the global south and deepening his understanding of the challenges facing Catholics in developing nations.
Family and Early Formation
Cardinal Prevost is the son of Louis Marius Prevost, a man of French and Italian heritage, and Mildred Martínez, who was of Spanish descent. According to the Vatican, his father was an educator, while his mother worked as a librarian. Their commitment to learning and faith helped shape the intellectual and spiritual foundation of their son, who would go on to join the Augustinian order.
He has two brothers: Louis Martín Prevost and John Joseph Prevost, both of whom have been supportive of his journey in the Church. In recent years, they have remained private figures, but are reportedly present in Rome to support their brother during this historic moment.
Prevost’s educational journey took him to Villanova University in Pennsylvania and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He later earned a doctorate in canon law from the prestigious Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, further preparing him for a leadership role in the global Church.
A New Era for the Church
As Pope Leo XIV, Prevost inherits a Church navigating complex global issues: secularization in the West, persecution in some regions, declining vocations, and the ongoing need for reform and transparency. Yet many see in him a bridge-builder—someone equally at home in the cultures of North and South America, deeply rooted in both spiritual tradition and institutional understanding.
His election marks a new chapter not only for the Church but also for millions of Catholics in the Americas who now see one of their own ascend to the highest office in Catholicism.
In his first remarks from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV spoke of healing, unity, and hope. “May we walk forward together in faith,” he said, “from every nation, in every language, united in Christ.”