Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, has made history as the first Pope from the United States.
The 69-year-old Chicago native is recognized as a leader with extensive global experience, having spent a significant portion of his career as a missionary in South America.
Most recently, he headed a powerful Vatican office responsible for bishop appointments.
Read Also: Robert Prevost: Profile Of First American Pope
His election is seen as a continuation of the late Pope Francis’s papacy, with expectations that he will carry on Francis’s reforms within the Church and his focus on poverty and marginalized communities.
Here are key facts about the new American Pontiff:
-
‘Least American’ of US Cardinals: Despite being born in Chicago, Prevost was considered the “least American” among the US cardinals within the Vatican. He served for a decade in Trujillo, Peru, and later as the bishop of Chiclayo, another Peruvian city, from 2014 to 2023. He is fluent in Spanish and Italian, demonstrated during his first public address in St. Peter’s Square.
-
Highly Regarded by Pope Francis: According to CNN’s Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb, the late Pope Francis held Prevost in high esteem and saw him as a capable leader. Lamb described the new Pope Leo XIV, whom he met as a cardinal, as a thoughtful and measured person who came across as understated.
-
Member of the Augustinian Order: Pope Leo is a member of the worldwide Augustinian religious order, which he led for over a decade as its prior general. In his first remarks as Pope, he identified himself as a son of St. Augustine and quoted the saint’s phrase emphasizing the shared Christian identity within the Church hierarchy.
-
Strong Leadership Experience: Pope Francis appointed Prevost as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, responsible for assessing bishop candidates and recommending new appointments. He also served as the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. CNN’s Vatican analyst Elise Allen noted his early appointments to leadership roles and described him as calm, balanced, even-handed, and clear in his objectives, though not overly forceful in their implementation.
-
Missionary Focus: Prevost considers himself a missionary, stating that his vocation, like that of every Christian, is to proclaim the Gospel wherever one is. He has cited his time in Peru as the most formative life experience. Allen suggests that his extensive missionary work abroad, over half his ecclesial career, indicates he will be very attentive to the needs of the global Church, despite his Western origins.
-
Dual Citizenship: Pope Leo XIV holds dual citizenship in the United States and Peru, having obtained Peruvian citizenship in August 2015. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte hailed his election as a “historic moment for Peru and the world.”
-
Papal Name Reflects Commitment to the Poor: The choice of the name Leo evokes Pope Leo XIII, who was known for his advocacy for the poor and workers’ rights. Leo XIII, who reigned from 1878 to 1903, strongly emphasized workers’ rights and Catholic social doctrine, suggesting a similar focus for the new pontiff.
-
Seen as a Centrist Unifier: While aligned with Francis on the general direction of the Church and fostering a more inclusive global community, Leo XIV is expected to lead in his own way. He is anticipated to hold more progressive views on social issues like migration and poverty but align more with moderates on moral issues of Catholic doctrine. His election, requiring a two-thirds majority in the College of Cardinals, suggests broad appeal across different factions within the Church.
-
Studied Math at Villanova: Prevost earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and a diploma in theology from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. He later studied canon law in Rome and taught it at the seminary in Trujillo, Peru.
-
Enjoys Tennis: Prevost described himself as an amateur tennis player and expressed his anticipation to return to the sport after moving from Peru. In his free time, he also enjoys reading, walking, and traveling to new and diverse places.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
