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Leo XIV

Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order, has taken the name Leo XIV as the new pope. Born in Chicago, he dedicated his career to ministry in Peru. As the 267th pontiff, he now leads the Catholic Church during a time of global turmoil and conflict.

Vatican City (YAME Digital)

Pope Leo XIV

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Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order, has taken the name Leo XIV as the new pope. Born in Chicago, he dedicated his career to ministry in Peru. As the 267th pontiff, he now leads the Catholic Church during a time of global turmoil and conflict.

The Vatican described him as the second pope from the Americas, after Pope Francis, and the first Augustinian pope

“Peace be with you,” he said from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.

‘Together, we must try to find out how to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges, establishes dialogue, that’s always open to receive — like on this piazza with open arms — to be able to receive everybody that needs our charity, our presence, dialogue, and love.’

He addressed the crowd in Italian and Spanish, honoring Pope Francis as he offered his final salute on Easter Sunday.

Catholic Church Elect American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost

Faithful celebrate after white smoke appeared from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals gathered on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025

Prevost was a leading candidate for the papacy and is believed to share Pope Francis' views on migrants, the poor, and the environment.

In February, then-Cardinal Prevost published a piece on X titled "JD Vance is Wrong: Jesus Doesn't Ask Us to Rank Our Love for Others." The author challenged Vance's assertion that Christians should prioritize their love starting with their family, followed by their neighbors, their community, fellow citizens, and finally, the rest of the world. Vance attempted to distort Catholic theology to justify his strong anti-migrant views by suggesting that Christians only need to care for those within their immediate family.

 
 

He also criticized Trump and El Salvadoran self-styled 'world coolest dictator' President Nayib Bukele for the wrongful deportation of innocent Maryland father Kilmar Abrego Garcia and the suffering caused by the MAGA deportation policy.

Service to the Church

  • 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 the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome

Assignments

  • 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

Vatican City (YAME Digital)
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