Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8, 2025 by the Catholic College of Cardinals to be pope, the head of the global Catholic Church. His historic election as the first American-born pope has garnered interest from Catholics and non-Catholics worldwide. In this guide, we cover Pope Leo XIV’s past, missionary work, path to the papacy, and what he’s currently focusing on as the leader of the Catholic church.

Who Is Pope Leo XIV?

Formally known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., Pope Leo XIV is the current Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church — the pope. The first-ever American-born pope, and the first pope from the United States, he has already sent a strong message to the world that he intends to be a leader who understands the modern challenges humanity faces worldwide. His first official teaching, his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas ("Magnificent Humanity"), is a bold investigation of AI technologies, how the use of such technologies affects humanity, and what the Christian response should be.

Born in September 1955, the 70-year-old pope grew up in Chicago, currently speaks five languages fluently, and is also the very first pope elected from the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A). This priestly order, inspired by the life and spirituality of St. Augustine of Hippo, was established in 1244. They take a vow of obedience, chastity, and poverty. On the order’s official website, they proclaim, “United in community and rooted in a shared search for God, we serve the Church and the world through pastoral ministry, education, social outreach, and missionary work.”

Pope Leo XIV at a Glance

Here are some of the most sought-after facts about Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States

• Birth Name: His birth name is Robert Francis Prevost.
• Age: Pope Leo XIV is currently 70 years old. He was born on September 14, 1955.
• Birthplace: He was born in Chicago, Ill., and lived in the south suburb of Dolton until 1969.
• Nationality: Pope Leo XIV is a citizen of the United States and has a dual nationality with Peru.
• Ethnicity: Pope Leo XIV is a mixed-race American with heritage that includes French, Italian, Spanish, Cuban, and African American (Louisiana Creole). 
• Religious Order: He belongs to the Order of St. Augustine (O.S.A.).
• Date Elected Pope: Pope Leo XIV was elected pope on May 8, 2025.
• Predecessor: The pope who preceded Pope Leo XIV is Pope Francis.
  
  

Where Is Pope Leo XIV From?

Pope Leo XIV is originally from Chicago, Ill, USA. He lived in the south suburb of Dolton until graduating from high school. When he was a child, his friends called him “Robbie.”

Born to a family of very devout Catholics, he attended church at St. Mary of the Assumption, located at 13764 S. Leyden Ave. in Chicago's Riverdale neighborhood, where he often served as an altar boy. Pope Leo XIV’s mother’s name was Mildred Martínez, and his father’s name was Louis Marius Prevost. He has two brothers, John Joseph Prevost and Louis Martin Prevost.

As a child, Pope Leo XIV would often pretend he was a priest while playing and role-play saying Mass, using circular-shaped candy as the blessed Eucharist. He also loved playing street hockey with his neighborhood friends.

What Did Pope Leo XIV Do Before Becoming Pope?

Before becoming pope, Pope Leo XIV lived a devout Catholic life filled with service and education. This is a timeline of his accomplishments:

• 1973 — Completed his diploma after secondary studies at Saint Augustine Seminary High School in Holland, Michigan.
• 1977 — Graduated from Villanova University in Pennsylvania with a degree in Mathematics and pursued studies in Philosophy.
• 1 September 1977 — Entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine in Saint Louis, in the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel of Chicago.
• 2 September 1978 — Made his first profession in the Order of Saint Augustine.
• 29 August 1981 — Made his solemn profession in the Order of Saint Augustine.
• 1981 — Completed theological studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, obtaining a licentiate in theology.
• 10 September 1981 — Ordained a deacon at Saint Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
• September 1981 — Sent to Rome to continue studies in Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, also known as the Angelicum.
• 19 June 1982 — Ordained to the priesthood in the Chapel of Saint Monica.
• 1984 — Obtained a licentiate in Canon Law.
• 1985 — Defended his doctoral dissertation, “The Role of the Local Prior in the Order of Saint Augustine.”
• 1985 — Assigned to the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, in the Piura region of Peru, serving as parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Holy Family and Chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas.
• 1987 — Returned briefly to the United States and was appointed Vocations Director and Missions Director of his Province, residing in Olympia Fields, about 25 miles south of downtown Chicago.
• 1988- 1999 — Returned to Peru for the Augustinian mission in Trujillo, where he served in many ways.
• 8 March 1999 — Returned to the United States to assume office as Provincial Prior of the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel.
• 2001-2013— Elected Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine by the Ordinary General Chapter for two consecutive six-year terms.
• October 2013 — Returned to his Province in Chicago after completing his mandate, serving as Director of Formation at Saint Augustine Convent, First Councillor and Provincial Vicar.
• 3 November 2014 — Appointed by Pope Francis as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, and Titular Bishop of Sufar and returned to Peru.
• 12 December 2014 — He was ordained a bishop at the Cathedral of St. Mary.
• 2014 — Received an honorary doctorate in Humanities from Villanova University.
• 24 August 2015 — Acquired Peruvian citizenship by naturalization.
• 26 September 2015 — Appointed by Pope Francis as Bishop of Chiclayo.
• March 2018 — Elected Second Vice-President of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference.
• 13 July 2019 — Appointed by Pope Francis as a member of the Congregation for the Clergy.
• 15 April 2020 — Appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Callao.
• 21 November 2020 — Appointed a member of the Congregation for Bishops.
• 30 January 2023 — Called to Rome by Pope Francis and appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and was appointed an Archbishop.
• 30 September 2023 — He was made a Cardinal by Pope Francis and assigned the Diaconate of Saint Monica.
• 2023 — Awarded the Gold Medal of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo by the Presidency of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference and received an honorary doctorate in Law from the Catholic University Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo of Chiclayo.
• 28 January 2024 — Took possession of the Diaconate of Saint Monica.
• 6 February 2025 — Elevated by Pope Francis to the Order of Cardinal Bishops and assigned the Suburbicarian See of Albano.
• 8 May 2025 — Elected Supreme Pontiff (pope) and chose the name Leo XIV.
  
  

Why Did He Choose the Name Pope Leo XIV?

When a new pope is elected, one of his first decisions is choosing the papal name he will use. This tradition often signals continuity with earlier popes, his spiritual focus, and his priorities.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, became the 267th pope. According to the Vatican, he chose the name Leo XIV primarily because of Pope Leo XIII, whose 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed how Catholics should respond to the challenges of the first great industrial revolution.

This connection gives the name Leo XIV clear significance. The former Pope Leo XIII is still closely associated with Catholic social teaching. His writings promote human dignity, justice, and labor rights.

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV has said that the Church now faces another kind of industrial revolution through the rise of artificial intelligence and other fast-progressing technological developments. The fact that he chose the name Leo suggests that his papacy will focus on Catholic social teaching, guiding the world in responding to modern challenges, and a focus on human dignity.

Is Pope Leo XIV the First American Pope?

Pope Leo XIV made history when he became the first pope to ever be elected from the United States.

His election is significant not only because of his American birth, but also because of his global pastoral experience. Before becoming pope, he served for many years in Peru, including as Bishop of Chiclayo, and later led the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops in Rome. That background places Pope Leo XIV at a unique crossroads: formed in the United States, shaped by missionary service in Latin America, and then entrusted with leadership in Rome by his predecessor, Pope Francis.

His American heritage is significant as the Church continues to navigate cultural division, global inequality, and widespread rapid technological change. Pope Leo XIV’s biography suggests he will focus his time as pope on bridge-building and Catholic social teaching, while also holding an international perspective when addressing topical politics and global change.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pope Leo XIV

With his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas ("Magnificent Humanity"), published, Pope Leo XIV seems to be in the news and coming up in discussion a lot. The following are some frequently asked questions about the pope.

• How old is Pope Leo XIV? Pope Leo XIV was born on September 14, 1955 and is currently 70 years old.
• What is Pope Leo XIV’s real name? His birth name is Robert Francis Prevost.
• Where was Pope Leo XIV born? He was born in Chicago, Ill., USA.
• What languages does Pope Leo XIV speak? Pope Leo XIV is fluent in English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. He has reading comprehension skills in Latin and German, and is currently working to become more conversational in German.
• Where does Pope Leo XIV live? The pope currently lives in an apartment in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.
• When was Pope Leo XIV elected pope? He was elected pope on May 8, 2025.
  
  

In his first blessing as pope, Pope Leo XIV said, “Peace be with you all!” Understanding Pope Leo XIV’s life and ministry helps Catholics see the roots of his papacy: service, mission, and peace. His story helps the faithful (and the wider world) better understand the shepherd now leading the Catholic Church.