The election of Pope Leo XIV has sparked renewed interest and curiosity across the Catholic world and beyond. As the newest successor to St. Peter, his background, beliefs, and early actions are already shaping global conversations about the future of the Church. In this article, we highlight 10 key facts that offer insight into the life, character, and vision of Pope Leo XIV.
1. Robert Prevost is the first American-born pope in the history of the Catholic Church. Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. He was elected as the 267 pontiff, taking the name Leo XIV.
2. He is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine in centuries. Same order as the German Martin Luther the reformer. Prevost served as Prior General of the Augustinians from 2001 to 2013.
3. Prevost spent over two decades in Peru, serving as a parish pastor, seminary teacher, and administrator. He became a naturalised Peruvian citizen and was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo in 2015, serving until 2023.
4. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University (1977), a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
5. Prevost is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese. He can read Latin and German.
6. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing global bishop appointments. He was also made a cardinal that year and now a Pope in less than 3 years.
7. Prevost has been recognised for his compassionate work with marginalised groups, including Venezuelan migrants in Peru.
8. He has historically opposed the ordination of women to the diaconate and has expressed concerns about “gender ideology” in education.
9. His father, Louis Marius Prevost, was a U.S. Navy veteran and school administrator of French and Italian descent. His mother, Mildred Martínez, was a librarian of Spanish descent.
10. Prevost was elected pope on the second day of the 2025 conclave, achieving the required two-thirds majority among the 133 cardinal electors. He took the name Leo XIV and addressed the faithful from St. Peter’s Basilica, emphasising peace and unity.
