Meet Robert Francis Prevost, the first North American Cardinal elected as Pope Leo XIV

In a historic milestone for the Catholic Church, Robert Francis Prevost, an American-born cleric with deep Peruvian ties has been elected Pope on May 8, 2025, becoming Pope Leo XIV.

His election marks several firsts, the first North American, the first Peruvian, and the first Augustinian to ascend to the papacy.

His rise signals both continuity and reform, with roots in pastoral service and a strong stance on traditional doctrine.

Early beginnings

Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to a multicultural family of French, Italian, and Spanish descent, Leo XIV’s spiritual journey began early.

Raised in a devout Catholic household, he served as an altar boy and showed academic excellence, graduating from the minor seminary of the Augustinians in 1973.

He later earned a degree in mathematics from Villanova University and a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union.

Fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, with reading knowledge of Latin and German, Leo XIV is a true polyglot pontiff with global perspectives.

Religious vocation and service

Joining the Augustinians in 1977, Prevost took his final vows in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1982.

He served extensively in Peru, where he was a parish priest, seminary teacher, and diocesan administrator.

Returning to the U.S., he was elected Prior General of the Augustinians, serving from 2001 to 2013.

In 2014, he was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo, later becoming bishop of the diocese.

By 2015, he had also gained Peruvian citizenship.

His leadership earned him appointments to important Vatican congregations, and in 2023, Pope Francis named him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and a cardinal-deacon.

Election as Pope

Prevost’s influence grew rapidly. In early 2025, he was promoted to cardinal-bishop and assigned the Diocese of Albano.

Following the death of Pope Francis in April 2025, the conclave elected Cardinal Prevost as his successor after four ballots on May 8th, 2025.

His papacy began with a message of unity, symbolized in his motto, “In illo Uno unum” (“In the One, one”).

He greeted the world from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica with his first Urbi et Orbi blessing, symbolizing a new chapter for the Catholic Church.

Controversies

Like many Church leaders, Pope Leo XIV’s past has come under scrutiny.

During his time as bishop, some claimed he was slow to respond to abuse allegations, though official records show he initiated canonical procedures and encouraged civil actions.

Vision for the Catholic faith

Pope Leo XIV is a strong advocate for episcopal leadership rooted in faith rather than bureaucracy.

He has emphasized the Church’s moral responsibility in confronting climate change and has reaffirmed the traditional Church stance on the male-only diaconate.

Fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, Pope Leo XIV brings a global perspective shaped by decades of missionary and administrative experience across continents.

His papacy promises to blend tradition with a pastoral concern for the global challenges facing the Church today.