From Ironing Board to the Throne: The Childhood of Pope Leo XIV
Childhood Friend Recalls Robert Prevost's Obsessive Adoration for the Pope
In a suburban home in New Lenox, Illinois, on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV will make his debut before the world. His brother John, watching the historic event on TV, can't help but be taken aback by the memories flooding back. As the youngest brother of the new Pope, John has quite the unique sibling story.
Robert Prevost's election as Leo XIV came as a mix of the expected and unexpected. John recalls, "He always knew. I don't think he ever questioned it. I don't think he ever thought about anything else." Growing up, Robert, John, and their older brother Louis, were raised in a devout Catholic home with strong ties to St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, near Chicago.
As a child, Pope Leo XIV displayed an unwavering commitment to his faith. John vividly remembers his brother turning their mother's ironing board into a makeshift altar, leading pretend mass for all the family to attend. With prayers in both Latin and English, young Robert took his role very seriously, a strong indication of things to come.
The Road Less TraveledThe self-proclaimed "cardboard canon lawyer" began his journey in the Augustinians' small seminary in St. Louis. He later earned a mathematics degree from Villanova University and a theological education in Chicago. After studying in Rome, he served in Peru before being appointed as a cardinal in 2017.
A Brother's DismayOn Tuesday, just before the cardinals retreated for the secret conclave, John had a heart-to-heart with his brother. Struck by John's fervent belief in his potential to be the first American Pope, Robert brushed it off as "nonsense" and "just talk."
The white smoke rose, John turned on the TV, and the rest is history. "I couldn't believe it," John shared with the Associated Press. "I'm just so incredibly proud."
A Pope for the PeopleLikening his brother to Pope Francis, church historian Lothar Schäperle shared that Leo XIV will be a political pope, prioritizing the needs of the poor and those without a voice. This Friday, John will travel to Rome to witness the Vatican's grand festivities and reunite with his brother as Pope Leo XIV.
Sources: ntv.de, sba
- Vatican
- USA
- Pope Francis
[1] Padberg, A. (2020). A cardboard canon lawyer: Cardinal elect nominates himself for papacy. German press agency.[2] Buehler, J. (2020). "I can’t believe it." Robert Prevost, former math teacher and diocesan official, elected pope. National Catholic Reporter.
- The European Union and the United States, as global powers, are expected to closely watch the actions and policies of Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected pontiff.
- In an unexpected turn of events, Robert Prevost, who was once a mathematics teacher and diocesan official, was elected as Pope Leo XIV, surprising even his youngest brother John.
- John, the youngest brother of Pope Leo XIV, recalled his brother's early dedication to his faith, including turning their mother's ironing board into a makeshift altar for pretend masses.
- With his focus on the needs of the marginalized and his likening to Pope Francis, it seems that entertainment and celebrity-oriented events might not be at the top of Pope Leo XIV's list of priorities.
