Pope Leo XIV
Pope · Cardinal · Bishop · Augustinian priest · Missionary
b. 1955 · Born in Chicago, Illinois, United States · 4 min read
- Verified: 13 November 2026
- Sources: 4
- Independently reviewed
267th pope of the Catholic Church since 2025; born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, the first pope from the United States and the first Augustinian pope.
Early Life
Robert Francis Prevost was born on 14 September 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent. He grew up in Dolton, Illinois, with his two older brothers, in a family marked by dedication to education and service. He attended the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers and then Villanova University in Pennsylvania.
Education
Prevost earned a degree in mathematics from Villanova University in 1977, where he also studied philosophy. He entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine in Saint Louis on 1 September 1977, made his first profession on 2 September 1978 and his solemn vows on 29 August 1981. He earned a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and was ordained a priest in Rome on 19 June 1982. He then studied canon law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, earning a licentiate in 1984 and a doctorate in 1987.
Career
Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985, serving as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas from 1985 to 1986 and then in Trujillo, where he worked in formation, teaching and parish ministry. After a period in the United States as vocations director and missions director for the Augustinian Province of Chicago, he was elected Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine in 2001 and served two terms until 2013. He returned to Chicago in 2013 as director of formation, first councillor and provincial vicar. On 3 November 2014 Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, and he was ordained bishop on 12 December 2014; he became bishop of Chiclayo on 26 September 2015 and served there until 2023, acquiring Peruvian citizenship in 2015. In January 2023 Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and created him a cardinal on 30 September 2023. Following the death of Pope Francis, the conclave elected him pope on 8 May 2025, on the fourth ballot, and he took the name Leo XIV, in honour of Pope Leo XIII. He celebrated his inaugural Mass in Saint Peter's Square on 18 May 2025. On 4 October 2025 he signed his first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te, on love for the poor, which was promulgated on 9 October 2025.
Achievements
Leo XIV's central achievements so far are the missionary career that preceded his election and the historic character of his pontificate. He spent many years as an Augustinian missionary in Peru, became a Peruvian citizen, and served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023 before Pope Francis called him to Rome as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and then made him a cardinal. His election on 8 May 2025 made him the first pope from the United States and from North America, the first Augustinian pope, and the first pope born after the Second World War. In the first months of his pontificate he issued the apostolic exhortation Dilexi te on love for the poor, completing a document begun by his predecessor, and set out a programme of continuity with Pope Francis's emphasis on the poor and on mission.
- Elected the 267th pope of the Catholic Church on 8 May 2025, the first pope from the United States and the first from North America
- Became the first Augustinian pope and the first pope born after the Second World War
- Served as a missionary in Peru for many years and became a Peruvian citizen in 2015
- Served as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine for two terms, 2001-2013
- Served as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2015 to 2023
- Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023
- Created a cardinal by Pope Francis on 30 September 2023
- Celebrated his inaugural Mass in Saint Peter's Square on 18 May 2025
- Issued his first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te, on love for the poor, in October 2025
- Chose the papal motto In illo uno unum, meaning In the one Christ we are one
Legacy
Leo XIV's pontificate is still in its early stages, so any assessment is provisional. He is the first pope from the United States, the first Augustinian pope, and the second pope from the Americas after Pope Francis. His long missionary service in Peru and his dual United States and Peruvian citizenship give him a distinctive perspective on the Church in both the north and the south of the Americas, and his choice of the name Leo XIV has been read as a reference to Pope Leo XIII's teaching on social questions. Because he is a living person whose pontificate continues, this profile records only documented milestones and will need regular updating from reliable sources.
Contributions
Leo XIV's contribution so far is to bring long missionary experience in Latin America to the papacy, as the first pope formed by years of pastoral work in Peru. As bishop of Chiclayo and then as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops he worked on the selection and formation of bishops, and his first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te, continues his predecessor's teaching on love for the poor.
Notable Works
- Dilexi te (2025)
- Missionary service in Peru (1985-2013)
- Bishop of Chiclayo (2015-2023)
- Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (2023-2025)
Milestones
- 1955 — Born on 14 September in Chicago, Illinois Source: Vatican News
- 1977 — Earned a degree in mathematics from Villanova University Source: Vatican News
- 1981 — Made solemn vows in the Order of Saint Augustine Source: Vatican News
- 1982 — Ordained a priest in Rome Source: Vatican News
- 1985 — Joined the Augustinian mission in Peru Source: Vatican News
- 2001 — Elected Prior General of the Augustinians Source: Vatican News
- 2014 — Appointed Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo; ordained bishop Source: Vatican News
- 2015 — Became bishop of Chiclayo; acquired Peruvian citizenship Source: Vatican News; USCCB
- 2023 — Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops Source: Vatican News
- 2023 — Created a cardinal by Pope Francis Source: Vatican News
- 2025 — Elected the 267th pope, taking the name Leo XIV Source: Vatican News
- 2025 — Celebrated his inaugural Mass in Saint Peter's Square Source: Wikipedia
- 2025 — Promulgated Dilexi te, his first apostolic exhortation Source: National Catholic Reporter
Timeline
- 14 September 1955
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Illinois
Source: Vatican News - 1977
Earned a degree in mathematics from Villanova University; entered the Augustinian novitiate
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Vatican News - 29 August 1981
Made solemn vows in the Order of Saint Augustine
Source: Vatican News - 19 June 1982
Ordained a priest in Rome
Source: Vatican News - 1985
Joined the Augustinian mission in Peru
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Vatican News - 1987
Earned a doctorate in canon law in Rome
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Vatican News - 2001
Elected Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Vatican News - 3 November 2014
Appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru
Source: Vatican News - 12 December 2014
Ordained bishop in Chiclayo
Source: Vatican News - 2015
Became bishop of Chiclayo; acquired Peruvian citizenship
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Vatican News; USCCB - 2023
Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops
Year only — exact date unknown Source: Vatican News - 30 September 2023
Created a cardinal by Pope Francis
Source: Vatican News - 8 May 2025
Elected the 267th pope, taking the name Leo XIV
Source: Vatican News - 18 May 2025
Celebrated his inaugural Mass in Saint Peter's Square
Source: Wikipedia - 9 October 2025
Promulgated his first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te, on love for the poor
Source: National Catholic Reporter
In Their Words
“Peace be with all of you!” Source: Pope Leo XIV, first address from the loggia of St Peter's Basilica, 8 May 2025 — His first words to the crowds in Saint Peter's Square from the loggia of the basilica, moments after his election was announced.
Related Personalities
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Pope Leo XIV?
Pope Leo XIV was born Robert Francis Prevost on 14 September 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, United States, so Leo XIV is 71 years old as of November 2026. His age changes every year on 14 September. He has served as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church since 8 May 2025.
Source: Vatican NewsWho is Pope Leo XIV?
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is the 267th pope of the Catholic Church, elected on 8 May 2025 after the death of Pope Francis. He is the first pope from the United States, the first Augustinian pope, and a longtime missionary in Peru who also holds Peruvian citizenship.
Source: Vatican NewsWhy did he choose the name Leo XIV?
Leo XIV chose his name in honour of Pope Leo XIII, who led the Church from 1878 to 1903 and is known for his teaching on social questions, including the encyclical Rerum novarum on the rights of workers. His papal motto is In illo uno unum, meaning In the one Christ we are one.
Source: Vatican NewsIs Pope Leo XIV a Peruvian citizen?
Yes. Prevost became a Peruvian citizen in 2015 while serving as bishop of Chiclayo in northern Peru, where he had worked as a missionary for many years. He holds both United States and Peruvian citizenship.
Source: USCCB ; Vatican NewsWhat did Pope Leo XIV do before becoming pope?
Before his election, Prevost served as bishop of Chiclayo in Peru from 2015 to 2023. In January 2023 Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome, and created him a cardinal on 30 September 2023.
Source: Vatican NewsWhat is Dilexi te?
Dilexi te, meaning I have loved you, is Pope Leo XIV's first apostolic exhortation, on love for the poor. It was signed on 4 October 2025 and promulgated on 9 October 2025, completing a document that Pope Francis had been preparing in the last months of his life.
Source: Vatican ; National Catholic ReporterSources & References
- Biography of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost — Vatican News — Vatican News (accessed 13 November 2026)
- Pope Leo XIV — Wikipedia (cross-check) — Wikipedia (accessed 13 November 2026)
- Chicago native Cardinal Prevost elected pope, takes name Leo XIV — USCCB — USCCB (accessed 13 November 2026)
- File:Pope Leo XIV 2.jpg — Wikimedia Commons (portrait file page) — Wikimedia Commons (accessed 13 November 2026)