Robert Prevost becomes the 267th Pope, Leo XIV—the first American pontiff with deep Latin American roots and a voice for the poor and environment.
Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, is the 267th pontiff and the first American to hold the title. Born in Chicago, he served as a missionary in Peru for years and is known for his deep commitment to social justice, immigrants, and environmental concerns.
A Historic Moment: Pope Leo XIV Announced
Before the announcement echoed from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the crowd below erupted in chant: “Vivail Papa!”—Long live the Pope!
Robert Francis Prevost, age 69, has officially become the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Though American-born, he spent decades in Peru as a missionary, making him a prominent figure in Latin America.
Early Life and Journey to Priesthood
From Chicago to the Vatican
Born in 1955 in Chicago to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, Robert served as an altar boy in his early days. In 1982, he was ordained as a priest, and just three years later, he relocated to Peru.
Despite his time abroad, he frequently returned to serve in his hometown. He holds dual nationality (Peruvian and American) and is recognized for working closely with marginalized communities.
Missionary Work in Peru
Serving the People of Trujillo
Prevost spent over a decade in northwest Peru, serving as a local parish priest and seminary professor in Trujillo. His outreach helped knit together divisions in communities and the Church.
Pope Francis named him bishop of Chiclayo in 2014, this position allowed him to oversee the selection and oversight of bishops in all of Latin America.
________________________________________
Becoming Pope: Values and Vision
A Voice for Justice, the Environment, and the Poor
Leo XIV’s election continues the tradition of Pope Francis with regard to such issues as poverty, migration, and climate change.
In his first papal address, he stated:
“We still hear the gentle yet courageous voice of Pope Francis in our ears, a voice that blessed us all. Let us move forward, united and hand in hand with God.”
Legacy of the Name ‘Leo’
The name Leo carries significant historical weight:
- Pope Leo I (ended papacy in 461) famously persuaded Attila the Hun not to sack Rome.
- Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) advocated for workers’ rights and social justice during the Industrial Revolution.
On Various Modern Church Issues
On LGBTQ+ and Inclusivity
Although not definitively on some LGBTQ+ issues, Leo XIV supports blessings for same-sex couples in irregular situations with a strong sense of cultural sensitivity.
Climate Action
A climate advocate, he said in 2023:
“We have to move from words to action,” referencing Vatican’s efforts in solar energy and electric mobility.
A Voice for Women in the Church
In 2024, Leo XIV affirmed that women play essential roles in bishop selection and episcopal ministry. He supports Francis’s initiative to include women in high-level clerical decisions.
A Life of Education and Devotion
First Augustinian Pope
He is the first Augustinian pope. Born to Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martínez, he studied math and philosophy at Villanova University and joined the Order of St. Augustine in 1977.
he earned a degree in canon law from the ‘Angelicum,’ the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
A New Era with Leo XIV
As the second pope from the Americas, and the first born in the U.S., Pope Leo XIV opens his papacy not only with a great sense of empathy, but also with the credentials of an academic and a commitment to justice.
From Chicago, to Peru, and back to Rome, Pope Leo XIV’s trajectory reflects a global sensibility that is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and Christian renewal.