Papal Name: 

Pope Leo XIV

Date of Election: 

8 May 2025

Predecessor: 

Pope Francis

Distinction:

▪First Pope born in the United States

▪First North American Pope

Personal Background

Birth Name: Robert Francis Prevost

Date of Birth: September 14, 1955

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Citizenship: Peruvian-American (Naturalized Peruvian citizen in 2015)

Education

B.Sc. in Mathematics – Villanova University (1977)

Master of Divinity– Catholic Theological Union, Chicago (1982)

Licentiate & Doctorate in Canon Law – Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome (1984, 1987)

Religious Order

Order of St. Augustine (OSA)

First Vows: 1978

Solemn Vows: 1981

Ordination: June 19, 1982 (by Archbishop Jean Jadot)

Leadership Roles

Missionary & Educator in Peru (1985–1998): Parish pastor, seminary rector, canon law teacher

Provincial of Augustinian Province of Chicago (1999)

Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine (2001–2013) – Two terms

Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2015–2023)

Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (2023–2025)

Cardinal-Deacon & Cardinal-Bishop (2023, 2025 respectively)

Controversies

▪Criticized for his handling of clergy abuse cases, particularly:

▪Permitting a credibly accused priest (Fr. James Ray) to live near a school without informing authorities

SNAP alleged mismanagement of abuse cases involving Richard McGrath in Peru.

Papal Significance

Seen as papabile due to his position overseeing bishop appointments.

Known for combining pastoral experience, canonical expertise, and multicultural fluency, particularly between North and South America.