Pope Leo XIV
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th pope on May 8, 2025.
A total of 133 cardinals took part in the election in the Vaticanโs Sistine Chapel.
His election followed the death of predecessor Pope Francis on April 21, 2025.
Prevost's elevation to the papacy marks a significant moment in the Church's history, reflecting his deep spiritual formation, extensive pastoral experience, and commitment to the Augustinian charism of unity and communion.
Pope Leo XIV is a prominent American Augustinian priest and prelate of the Catholic Church, recognised for his deep commitment to pastoral care, ecclesial leadership, and global missionary work.
He was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois.
Born to Louis Marius Prevost, a French-Italian catechist, and Mildred Martรญnez, of Spanish descent, Prevost was raised in a family deeply involved in the Church.
His early experiences as an altar boy and his family's hospitality to priests influenced his vocational discernment.
He is known for his humility, spiritual depth, and dedication to the pastoral mission of the Church.
Pope Leo XIV entered the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) in 1977, following his undergraduate studies in mathematics at Villanova University.
He pursued theological and canonical education at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, where he earned both licentiate and doctorate degrees in canon law.
His doctoral thesis focused on the role of the local prior in the Augustinian order.
Ordained a priest in 1982, Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985.
He served in various capacities, including chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas, parish pastor, seminary rector, and diocesan judicial vicar.
His leadership extended to the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, where he taught canon law and served as prefect of studies.
In 1999, he returned to Chicago and was elected provincial prior of the Augustinian Province of Chicago.
In 2001, he was elected prior general of the worldwide Augustinian order, serving two six-year terms until 2013.
In 2014, Pope Francis appointed Prevost apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in northern Peru.
He was elevated to bishop in 2015 and served until 2023.
During his tenure, he played a significant role in stabilising the Church amidst political crises in Peru.
In January 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a key position responsible for selecting bishops worldwide.
He was elevated to cardinal on September 30, 2023.
Known for his listening skills and pastoral approach, he was instrumental in shaping episcopal appointments with a focus on unity and communion.
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Ordination to the Priesthood: 19 June 1982
Ordination to the Episcopate: 12 December 2014
Elevation to the College of Cardinals: 30 September 2023
Education
1977: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University
1982: Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago
1984: Licentiate in Canon Law from Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome
1987: Doctorate in Canon Law from Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome
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1985-1986: Missionary work in Chulucanas, Peru
1988-1998: Various roles in Trujillo, Peru including community prior, formation director, and professor
1999-2001: Provincial of the Augustinian Province in Chicago
2001-2013: Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine (two terms)
2014-2015: Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru
2015-2023: Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru
2023-present: Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops
2023-present: President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America
Memberships
Dicastery for Clergy
Dicastery for Evangelization
Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
Dicastery for the Eastern Churches
Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life
Dicastery for Culture and Education
Dicastery for Legislative Texts
2023: Commission for the Governance (Governatorato) of the Vatican City State.
