witnessed young Robert Prevost exhibiting qualities similar to a religious leader as a child.

From Ironing Board Altar to the Throne of Saint Peter: Pope Leo XIV's Humble Beginnings

Child reports seeing Pope resemblance in local man Robert Prevost

On the eve of Robert Francis Prevost's ascension as Pope Leo XIV, his brother John reflects on his journey from a child's "play priest" to the enigmatic figure now presiding over the Vatican.

Born out of a blended heritage, Pompey Louis Prevost Jr., aka Pope Leo XIV, was born on the 14th of September, 1955, in the bustling metropolis of Chicago. His roots, a melange of French, Italian, and Spanish blood, would shape his formative years and spiritual callings.

As a child, the future Pope would often transform his mother's ironing board into an altar, playing the role of a priest with unwavering devotion. His younger brother, John, would unknowingly bear witness to the fledgling signs of destiny.

"He always knew," John told ABC News, underlining Robert's unwavering conviction. "I don't think he ever questioned it. I don't think he ever thought about anything else." The desire to serve the Lord had manifested itself in Robert from an early age, shaping the course of his future.

Born as the middle child between two brothers, John and Louis, Robert's journey to the priesthood was not a surprise to his family. Even so, the news of his election as the 275th successor of Saint Peter brought an extraordinary wave of emotions to John.

"He got a call that there's white smoke coming out of the chimney in Rome, so he went downstairs and turned on the TV," John recalled, talking to The Associated Press. He was overwhelmed by disbelief, yet swelling with pride. "It's a great responsibility," he said.

Although Robert dismissed his brother's predictions of becoming the first American Pope as mere "nonsense," his dreams of a life in the service of the Lord had been unyielding. He joined a small Augustinian seminary in St. Louis at a young age and furthered his studies in mathematics at Villanova University. After completing theology studies in Chicago and a doctorate in canon law in Rome, he ventured to Peru as a missionary.

Leo XIV's journey to the pinnacle of power in the Catholic Church was marked by his unwavering dedication, profound commitment to the Church's teachings, and a deep concern for the marginalized communities he served throughout his life. This would set the tone for his papacy, as his brother John anticipates his brother's empathy for the oppressed and the downtrodden to be the hallmark of his tenure.

Reflecting on his younger brother's impending inauguration, John plans to travel to Rome to join the Vatican celebrations and finally meet Pope Leo XIV, not as a brother, but as the spiritual leader of the global Catholic Church—Pope Leo XIV.

Sources: ntv.de, sba

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Enrichment Data*: Early Life and Family Background- Birth and Family: Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to his father, Pompey Louis Prevost Jr., and mother, Mildred Martínez.- Cultural Upbringing: He was raised in a multicultural household with roots in French, Italian, and Spanish heritage.Education and Early Career- Education: Prevost studied at an Augustinian minor seminary in Michigan and later earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania.- Religious Vocation: He entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) in 1977 and professed solemn vows on August 29, 1981.- Theological Studies: He studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.- Ordination: Prevost was ordained as a priest in June 1982.- Missionary Work: After his ordination, Prevost was sent to Peru as a missionary, where he spent many years serving and later acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2015.- Academic Pursuits*: He later earned a licentiate and doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome.

The European Union and the United States are anxiously awaiting the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, the youngest child of a blended heritage, who was born in Chicago.
With his ascension to the papacy, the world's celebrities and social-media enthusiasts have been buzzing with anticipation, while his older brother, John, has mixed feelings of disbelief and pride.
Robert Francis Prevost, aka Pope Leo XIV, was a young boy with an ironing board altar and an unwavering desire to serve the Lord, as his brother John fondly remembers from childhood.
As the Pope embarks on his papal journey, his focus on marginalized communities, demonstrated in his early missionary work in Peru, sets expectations high for empathy and compassion as the hallmark of his tenure.