What to Know About the New Catholic Pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost — Now Pope Leo XIV

Historic First

Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Cardinal Robert Prevost has made history as the first U.S. citizen to be elected pope. He is now Pope Leo XIV. His parents, Louis and Mildred Prevost, have French, Italian, and Spanish ancestry.

Education and Formation

Prevost began his religious journey in 1973 at the Augustinian minor seminary. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1977, followed by a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He later completed a Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law at the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977, took his first vows in 1978, solemn vows in 1981, and was ordained a priest in Rome on June 19, 1982.

Missionary Work in Peru

In the mid-1980s through the late 1990s, Prevost served as a missionary in Peru. He later became a Peruvian citizen in 2015 and holds a Peruvian passport.

Leadership Roles in the Church

In 1999, Prevost was elected provincial of the Augustinian Province of Chicago. From 2001 to 2013, he served two six-year terms as prior general of the worldwide Augustinian Order.

Episcopal Service in Peru

Appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, by Pope Francis in 2014, Prevost was consecrated as titular bishop of Sufar on December 12 of that year. He became bishop of Chiclayo in 2015, a role he held until 2023. He also served as apostolic administrator of Callao from 2020 to 2021.

Rise to the Cardinalate

Prevost was made a cardinal on September 30, 2023, and was elevated to the senior rank of cardinal-bishops in early 2025 by Pope Francis.

Vatican Role and Path to the Papacy

In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost to lead the Vatican’s influential office responsible for vetting bishop appointments — a key role in shaping the global Church. Though he kept a low public profile, Prevost was well known and respected within the Catholic hierarchy. He played a significant role in advancing Pope Francis’ reforms, including overseeing the historic inclusion of three women in the body that recommends bishop candidates. On Thursday, he was elected Pope Leo XIV — the first American pontiff.

Celebration in Peru

After the announcement of his election, the cathedral bells in Lima, Peru, rang in celebration. Locals expressed hope that the new pope would visit. “For us Peruvians, it is a source of pride that this is a pope who represents our country,” said Isabel Panez, a primary school teacher near the cathedral. “We would like him to visit us here in Peru.”

A Centrist Pope

Pope Leo XIV is widely regarded as a centrist, reportedly holding a blend of liberal and conservative views, making him a bridge-builder within the diverse global Church.