Brother of Leo XIV reminisces about asserting, "You will be the Pope."
Rewritten Article:
A brother's childhood dreams have come true—Pope Leo XIV, the first American to hold the papal throne, is his little brother Robert Francis Prevost. Born and raised in Chicago, Leo always yearned to serve the church, dreamily handing out Necco wafers to friends, pretending they were communion.
"We knew from a young age, maybe around five or six, he was destined to be a priest," Prevost, now 73, recalls telling AFP from his Florida home. "When we played games, as kids, he loved playing priest. I remember thinking, 'What the heck? Priest?'"
Reminiscing about his brother's playful antics, Prevost shares a smile. "He'd use those little candy discs as communion and distribute it to all our friends in the yard."
Teasing him as a six-year-old, his brothers would taunt, "You're gonna be the Pope!" But young Leo wasn't amused.
On the day the world learned of his brother's appointment, Prevost watched the Vatican announcements from his TV, heart racing with a nervous excitement. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti's words echoed across the room, "Pope Leo XIV..." A wave of joy washed over Prevost. "I was sitting down. If I hadn't, I probably would have fallen over," he remembered.
Now, the initial elation has dissipated, and questions lurk. "Will we ever see him again? Will we ever talk to him like brothers, or will it be all formal?" Prevost ponders. "He's still there, but he's out of reach."
The unexpected papal elevation introduces unique challenges to their relationship, as family life may take a backseat to global obligations. "It opens a lot of questions," Prevost concedes. "How will our relationship change? Will it be all official chit-chat, or can we maintain the familiar bond we've shared for years?"
Prevost anticipates answers from his other brother, John, when he visits Rome from their Chicago hometown. Hoping for unity, Leo's papacy offers a chance to revitalize the American Catholic Church.
"When he comes to America, he'll speak English, not Latin or Spanish or Italian. People will understand what he's saying, and they'll realize he's one of us," Prevost believes.
Reflecting on his brother's gifts, Prevost expresses faith in his ability to settle international conflicts, such as Gaza and Russia-Ukraine, and to spread peace across the world. "He's got the ability to make peace between two warring parties in mere minutes," Prevost declares.
As the world watches, the Prevost brothers continue to navigate the uncharted waters of Leo's papacy, seeking to maintain the bonds that held them together since childhood. © 2025 AFP
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
The election of Pope Leo XIV as the first American pope, while celebratory for the Prevost family, presents certain challenges for their personal relationships. With increased global attention and responsibilities, family dynamics could evolve in several ways:
- Public Scrutiny: The family's privacy may be affected as the papal role brings intense media scrutiny, possibly impacting their personal lives and relationships.
- Time Constraints: Pope Leo XIV's role demands extensive global travel and engagements, which could limit the time he spends with his family.
- Spiritual and Diplomatic Obligations: The pope's role requires serving the global Catholic community and engaging with world leaders, potentially creating a perceived distance from personal family matters.
- Family Pride: On the other hand, the Prevost brothers might feel immense pride in their sibling's achievement, fostering a stronger bond through shared family pride and accomplishments.
Despite the uncertainties, the Prevost brothers will navigate the challenges of Leo's papacy, seeking to preserve their close bond.
- Despite the distance and formalities that the papal role may impose, Robert Francis Prevost wonders if he and Pope Leo XIV, his brother, will ever revert to their familiar bond, reminiscent of their childhood days in Chicago.
- As the world eagerly watches the unfolding of Pope Leo XIV's papacy, he is regarded not just as a spiritual leader but also as a potential diplomat, capable of resolving international conflicts, such as those in Gaza and Russia-Ukraine, through his unique gifts, according to Robert Francis Prevost.
