Bold Action from the Vatican: Taking a Closer Look at Pope Leo XIV
Essential Facts Regarding Leo XIV - Essential Facts About Pope Leo XIV
The air in the Catholic Church is fresher than ever, thanks to the arrival of Pope Leo XIV. With a captivating smile, an intercontinental pedigree, and a clear stance on social justice, Robert Francis Prevost (69) has won over countless Catholic followers. Learn more about the man sitting on the Holy See, who could usher in a new era for the Vatican.
Changes ringing through the Vatican
White smoke denotes a new Pope, and on May 8, 2025, Prevost emerged as the 267th Pope as the first American Pope, blazing a trail in the Vatican. Formerly the Pope of Peru and the first Pope from the Augustinian order, he brings diverse influences to the table.
Words of Pope Leo XIV, the newly-elected leader
A little over an hour into a secret ballot involving 133 cardinals, Prevost made his public appearance on the balcony of St. Peter's, declaring the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing to a large crowd waiting below. After spreading peace, he honored his predecessor Pope Francis, acknowledging his significant impact on Rome and the world. With determined hope, Prevost declared, "Evil will not prevail. We are all in God's hands."
Robert Prevost's Journey to the Holy See
Prevost completed his final vows in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1982. Beginning in 1985, he served as a missionary in Peru and later headed the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo as well as held lectures on canon law. His extensive years of work in Latin America fostered a close bond with then-Pope Francis, the first Pontifex from Latin America, and earned Prevost Peruvian citizenship since 2015.
In a 2023 interview with "Vatican News," Prevost spoke about the significance of being chosen by Pope Francis to leave his role in Latin America and step into the position of overseeing the agency that helps select bishops. He expressed his ongoing dedication to his missionary work, describing his new role as a new opportunity to serve. Francis formally named Prevost cardinal in January 2024.
A deep connection to his American roots
A Chicago native, Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, to parents who were school principals and librarians. Even as a child, he showed a passion for acting as a priest and conducting Mass, according to his older siblings. Following his studies in mathematics, philosophy, and theology, Prevost earned a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in 1987.
Like Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV is widely recognized as an advocate for synodality and an inclusive church. He believes that involving and sharing responsibility among all believers is instrumental in resolving the polarization within the church. Furthermore, he highlights the pressing need for meaningful action against climate change and promotes bolstering the church's dedication to environmental preservation.
A vocal critic of Trump
Prevost, holding positions of priest, cardinal, and now Pope, has earned a reputation for championing social justice, particularly for minorities. Throughout his career, he has fiercely criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump's political views, especially when it comes to immigration policies. In his inaugural speech, Prevost underlined the importance of unity, compassion, and constructively building bridges rather than walls, a message interpreted by many as a subtly aimed at Trump’s controversial “Build the Wall” rhetoric.
Pope Leo XIV's personal life
Bilingual in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, as well as fluent in German, Prevost enjoys playing tennis in his free time and is an avid fan of baseball and football. His favorite teams are the Chicago White Sox and Alianza Lima from Peru. According to a friendly priest who studied with Prevost and later lived with him in Rome, he has a dry sense of humor and has always been friendly and approachable, balancing a keen sense of tradition with a pragmatic perspective of the church's work for the poor.
Less than 24 hours after being elected as Pope Leo XIV, Prevost celebrated his first mass in the Vatican, delivering a sermon highlighting the significance of missions and faith in complex situations.
- Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was ordained a priest in 1982 and later served as a missionary in Peru, where he earned Peruvian citizenship since 2015.
- In a 2023 interview, Pope Leo XIV spoke about his new role as overseeing the agency that helps select bishops, expressing his ongoing dedication to his missionary work as an opportunity to serve.
- Pope Leo XIV, like Pope Francis, is known for his advocacy for synodality and an inclusive church, with a focus on resolving polarization and promoting action against climate change.
- Known to be a critic of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Pope Leo XIV underlined the importance of unity, compassion, and constructively building bridges in his inaugural speech, a message interpreted as a subtle critique of Trump’s controversial "Build the Wall" rhetoric.
