Meet Pope Leo XIV: Scholar, Shepherd, and the First American Pontiff

Robert Francis Prevost made history as he stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica smiling, waving with both hands, and bowing with humility. The Church had elected its first-ever American pope.

Taking the name Leo XIV, he brings a rich blend of intellectual rigour, global missionary experience, and pastoral heart to the papacy. But who is the man behind the white cassock?

Here are 11 things to know about Pope Leo XIV:

1. He is the first pope from the United States, born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois.
2. A brilliant academic, Prevost holds a BSc in Mathematics from Villanova University, a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union, and a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. His thesis focused on the governance within his religious order.
3. He spent over a decade as a missionary in Peru, where he led the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and taught canon law. His roles included parish pastor, seminary director, judicial vicar, and diocesan official.
4. He entered the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977 and made his solemn vows in 1981.
5. Ordained in 1982, Prevost was sent to Peru in 1985 and later served as chancellor of the Territorial Prélature of Chulucanas.
6. He returned to the U.S. in 1987, working on vocations and missions before being re-assigned to Peru, demonstrating his deep commitment to Latin American communities.
7. He was elected Prior General of the Augustinians in 2001, leading the order worldwide for two consecutive terms until 2013.
8. In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him apostolic administrator of Chiclayo, Peru, and in 2015, he became its bishop. He also served as vice-president of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference.
9. He held the influential role of prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops from January 2023, overseeing the appointment of bishops worldwide until his election as pope.
10. He was created Cardinal on September 30, 2023, by Pope Francis, further cementing his standing within the global Church hierarchy.
11. Leo XIV speaks five languages — English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese — and can also read Latin and German, according to the National Catholic Reporter