Pope Leo XIV
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Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. He stands as a groundbreaking figure: the first pope born in the United States and North America, the first to hold both U.S. and Peruvian citizenships, the first born after World War II, the first from the Order of Saint Augustine, and the second from the Americas, following his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Robert Francis Prevost was born in Chicago and raised in the nearby suburb of Dolton, Illinois. His journey to the papacy began with his entry into the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977, followed by his ordination as a priest in 1982. He furthered his theological studies, earning a Doctor of Canon Law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome in 1987. His early ministry was marked by extensive missionary work in Peru throughout the 1980s and 1990s, where he served as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher, and administrator.
His leadership within the Augustinian order saw him elected Prior General, based in Rome from 2001 to 2013, a period of extensive global travel to the order's various provinces and missions. He then returned to Peru, serving as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. In a significant appointment in 2023, Pope Francis named him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome, and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
As a cardinal, appointed by Pope Francis, Prevost championed synodality, missionary dialogue, and engagement with contemporary social and technological challenges. His concerns extended to climate change, global migration, church governance, and human rights, aligning himself with the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
Prevost's election as Pope Leo XIV in the 2025 conclave was a surprise to many observers. Considered a dark horse candidate, the idea of a pope from the United States was, for some Vatican insiders, an unlikely prospect given the country's superpower status. In a symbolic nod to Pope Leo XIII, who shaped modern Catholic social teaching during the Second Industrial Revolution, Prevost chose the papal name Leo XIV, signifying his response to the challenges of a new industrial revolution and the rise of artificial intelligence.
Born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, his ancestry traces back to Spanish, French, Italian, and Louisiana Creole roots. His father, Louis Marius Prevost, a Chicago native and World War II veteran, was an educator. His mother, Mildred Agnes Prevost, also born in Chicago, hailed from a mixed-race Black Creole family from Louisiana and was an educator and librarian.
Robert, affectionately known as "Rob" by family and "Bob" by friends, grew up in Dolton, Illinois. His upbringing in the parish of St. Mary of the Assumption was deeply influenced by his parents' devout Catholic faith, their prayer life, and Marian devotions. He often recalls his mother's words, encouraging him and his brothers to see Jesus as their best friend, and Mass as the way to find that friend. He attended the parish Catholic school, sang in the choir, and served as an altar boy, already aspiring to the priesthood from a young age.
From 1969 to 1973, he attended St. Augustine Seminary High School, a minor seminary in Michigan. There, he excelled academically, earning commendations for excellence, consistently appearing on the honor roll, and serving as yearbook editor-in-chief. He was also secretary of the student council and a member of the National Honor Society, captaining the bowling team and leading the speech and debate team. Known for his intelligence and helpfulness, he tutored fellow students. Out of many who entered, he was one of only thirteen to graduate.
In 1973, the closure of Tolentine College, an Augustinian seminary, led him to enroll at Villanova University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics in 1977, taking elective courses in Hebrew and Latin, studying the writings of Saint Augustine, and engaging in theological discussions. Living in the Augustinian friary, he was recognized for his commitment to missionary work and his community-minded spirit. He also worked as a cemetery groundskeeper at Saint Denis Catholic Church while at Villanova.
On September 1, 1977, Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine as a novice. He took his first vows on September 2, 1978, and his solemn vows on August 29, 1981. He obtained a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in 1982, teaching physics and math at St. Rita of Cascia High School during his studies. His spiritual director, Sister Lyn Osiek, described him as "calm and steady... a person who was at peace with himself."
Ordained a deacon on September 10, 1981, he was ordained a priest in Rome on June 19, 1982. He earned his Licentiate of Canon Law in 1984 and his Doctor of Canon Law in 1987 from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, while also learning Italian. His doctoral thesis focused on the role of local priors in the Order of Saint Augustine.
"Padre Roberto" joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985, serving as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas and aide to Bishop John McNabb. His early work there involved disaster relief following El Niño storms. After defending his doctoral thesis, he returned to Peru in 1988. During his time in Peru, he met and appreciated the Dominican priest and theologian Gustavo Gutierrez, a pioneer of liberation theology, and he mastered the Spanish language.
For a decade, Prevost headed the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, teaching canon law, serving as prefect of studies, acting as a judge in the ecclesiastical court, and engaging in parish ministry on the city's outskirts, connecting with poor farmers and indigenous peoples. He was instrumental in recruiting Peruvians for the priesthood and leadership roles within the order. He also organized support for Venezuelan refugees in Peru, despite discrimination.
During the Fujimorato era, Prevost openly criticized President Alberto Fujimori's actions, particularly concerning victims of the Peruvian Army and political corruption. He later criticized President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's decision to pardon Fujimori, calling for a personal apology for past injustices. His years in Peru provided him with firsthand knowledge of political violence and inequality. He traveled by horse on difficult roads to reach isolated communities and stood as a defender of human rights against the Shining Path guerrilla organization, though Trujillo itself was not heavily affected.
In 1998, Prevost was elected Prior Provincial of the Order of St. Augustine's Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel. In 2000, he permitted an Augustinian priest, James Ray, to reside at St. John Stone Friary in Chicago under supervision, a decision that later drew scrutiny.
Elected Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine in 2001, he served two consecutive six-year terms until 2013. While based in Rome, he traveled extensively worldwide. During this time, in 2004, he met Cardinal Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires. Their early encounters are reported to have been challenging, though they reconciled their differences before Prevost left Rome for Chicago in 2013. He also personally oversaw the creation of a website for the Augustinians.
From 2013 to 2014, Prevost served as director of formation at the Convent of St. Augustine in Chicago and as provincial vicar.
On November 3, 2014, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in northern Peru and titular bishop of Sufar. He was consecrated bishop on December 12, 2014, and named Bishop of Chiclayo on September 26, 2015. As required, he became a naturalized Peruvian citizen before assuming his episcopal duties. Chiclayo was then described as a conservative diocese.
Prevost developed a profound bond with the Diocese of Chiclayo, referring to them as "my beloved diocese" and "faithful people" in his first message as Pope. He was known for his adherence to the Church's social doctrine, organizing relief efforts during calamities, supporting projects for Venezuelan refugees, and encouraging vocations. He assisted victims of trafficking and sex workers, offering them new skills and spiritual retreats. He was remembered for his capacity to listen and engage in dialogue, working collaboratively with institutions on controversial issues. He established a diocesan Commission on Integral Ecology, led by a woman. People in the diocese described him as having a "balanced" personality, a "calming presence," and "great charity and great clarity" in doctrinal matters, a competent administrator, and a bridge-builder open to dialogue.
He was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Clergy in 2019 and became apostolic administrator of Callao in 2020. In November 2020, he joined the Congregation for Bishops. Within the Episcopal Conference of Peru, he served on the permanent council and chaired its Commission for Education and Culture, also contributing to Caritas Peru. His presence on the permanent council was seen as extraordinary for someone not born in Peru, demonstrating a broad degree of acceptance.
Prevost has faced accusations of covering up sexual abuse during his time in Chiclayo. In 2022, alleged victims of abuse by priests Ricardo Yesquén Paiva and Eleuterio Vásquez Gonzáles claimed the Diocese of Chiclayo failed to investigate their cases. The Diocese of Chiclayo stated that Prevost followed proper procedures, met with the victims, encouraged civil action, and initiated a canonical investigation that was sent to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. However, the sisters stated that a full penal canonical investigation did not occur, and an investigation by América Televisión concluded the church's investigation was not thorough. The diocese refuted these claims, stating that the accused priest never admitted guilt, that Prevost prohibited him from exercising his ministry, and that the dossier was submitted to the Vatican, resulting in a temporary dismissal. The case was later reopened and resent to the Vatican.
Speaking to the Peruvian newspaper La República, Prevost stated: "If you are a victim of sexual abuse by a priest, report it. We reject cover-ups and secrecy; that causes a lot of harm. We have to help people who have suffered due to wrongdoing." Journalist Pedro Salinas, who investigated crimes within the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, argued that Prevost consistently supported victims and was a reliable clerical authority in Peru, leading Pope Francis to select him as prefect of bishops. Salinas suggested that some Peruvian clerics linked to the Sodalitium sought to attack and defame Prevost in retaliation for his role in the Sodalitium's dissolution and his closeness to Pope Francis's political theology.
By the 2020s, Pope Francis had grown close to Prevost, advancing his career. On January 30, 2023, Francis appointed Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, with the title Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo. Prevost expressed a preference to remain in Peru but accepted the appointment. He continued his active role in the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council.
On September 30, 2023, Francis created Prevost a cardinal, and as prefect, he played a critical role in evaluating and recommending episcopal candidates worldwide, significantly increasing his visibility within the church and elevating his prominence as a papal candidate. In October 2023, Francis appointed him to seven additional dicasteries and to the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State. On February 6, 2025, Francis promoted Prevost to cardinal-bishop and appointed him to the Order of Malta.
Given his focus on mission, Prevost's writings before his election were few. His main work of scholarship is his doctoral dissertation, "The office and authority of the local Prior in the Order of Saint Augustine," published in 1987. This work has been noted for its legal precision, Augustinian roots, and postconciliar engagement, offering insight into his "vision of the church" and "theology of leadership." In it, he posits that authority is received from above, and the substance of a superior's office is obedience to God's will. Leadership is grounded in Christ's threefold offices, with the prior tasked with helping to make sacraments regular and reverent, while protecting each brother's freedom of conscience. Prevost views authority as a service, emphasizing listening to the Spirit in His people to discern and implement God's projects.
In pre-conclave speculation, Prevost was considered a dark horse candidate, though an ally of Pope Francis and a potential compromise. His American nationality was seen as a potential obstacle, reflecting unease about enhancing U.S. geopolitical power. Prevost himself acknowledged this, telling a friend, "I'm an American, I can't be elected." Supporters, however, argued he represented a "dignified middle of the road."
Prevost was elected pope on May 8, 2025, the second day of the conclave, on the fourth ballot. White smoke signaled his election, and after accepting, he adopted the papal name Leo XIV. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti proclaimed "Habemus Papam," announcing Pope Leo XIV to the public for the first time from St. Peter's Basilica. His pectoral cross, a gift from the Postulator General of the Augustinian Order, contained relics from Saint Augustine and his mother Saint Monica. In his first address, he advocated for peace and dialogue, expressing gratitude for Pope Francis's legacy and quoting Saint Augustine. He also greeted his former diocese of Chiclayo in Spanish before imparting his first Urbi et Orbi blessing.
Leo XIV is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine and the second from the Americas, counted as the 267th pope. He is a dual citizen of Peru and the United States, and the first American-born pope. He is the second native English speaker to hold the papacy, after Adrian IV. Leo is also the first pope born after World War II and during the Cold War, and thus the first to be born in the Baby Boomer generation. While the first from the Order of Saint Augustine, six previous popes belonged to other orders following the Augustinian Rule.
On May 9, Leo celebrated his first Mass as pope in the Sistine Chapel, preaching against the lack of faith and speaking of a church as a "beacon that illuminates the dark nights of this world." He would take up permanent residence in the papal apartments. His inauguration Mass was held on May 18 in St. Peter's Square, where he received the pallium and his Ring of the Fisherman. On May 25, he was formally installed as Bishop of Rome.
In Chiclayo, thousands gathered for a Mass of Thanksgiving, with similar celebrations held throughout Peru. In the U.S., over 30,000 Americans attended a youth-focused event in Chicago, where Leo XIV sent a video message urging Catholics to be "beacons of hope." Political leaders offered congratulations, with President Donald Trump calling it "a Great Honor for our Country."
Early acts included nominating Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou, approved by Chinese authorities, and appointing Archbishop Thibault Verny to succeed Seán Patrick O'Malley as president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. On July 6, Leo revived the papal practice of taking summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. On September 7, he presided over the canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati.
Leo's regnal name was chosen in honor of Pope Leo XIII, whose encyclical Rerum novarum established modern Catholic social teaching. This choice signifies a focus on the lives and work of men and women, even in an age of artificial intelligence. Cardinal Fernando Chomalí noted that Leo was inspired by Leo XIII's dialogue between the church and the modern world amid the Industrial Revolution, and Leo himself stated the church offers its social teaching in response to a new industrial revolution and AI, which pose challenges to human dignity, justice, and labor.
In a May 2023 interview, Prevost stressed prudence and responsibility in using social media to avoid fueling divisions. He is described as speaking with "caution and great deliberation." The National Catholic Reporter stated that Leo XIV is committed to ecumenism with other Christian denominations, praying for "a united church, a sign of unity and communion." His first international trip as pontiff will be to Turkey to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.
The new pope's first message emphasized peace, continuing Pope Francis's blessing, and God's care and love. Themes included Jesus as light, a missionary church through dialogue, fidelity to the Gospel, synodality, working for peace and justice, closeness to the suffering, and prayer to Mary. He stressed not having fear and God's help to "build bridges." In his first address to the cardinals, Leo declared his "complete commitment" to the path traced by the Second Vatican Council, praising Pope Francis's Evangelii Gaudium and highlighting six "evangelical principles."
Leo XIV's episcopal motto is "In illo Uno unum" ("In the One, we are one"). He requested "our first great desire be for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion," noting "too much discord" in the world. He stressed that the "two dimensions of the mission" of the papacy are "love and unity."
Discussing the ordination of women in October 2023, Prevost stated that tradition makes it impossible to consider women as priests but noted openness to considering women deacons, while cautioning it might not solve problems and could create new ones. He observed that women's perspectives on the Dicastery for Bishops often align but introduce valuable viewpoints. As a cardinal, Prevost was a vocal proponent of synodality, suggesting that the participation of all the faithful could address polarization. He emphasized that episcopal leadership should prioritize faith over administration and that the Holy Spirit is pushing towards renewal, with all faithful called to "listen first of all to the Holy Spirit."
During his service in Peru, Prevost was described as an "impeccable dresser" for Mass, wearing full vestments even in high temperatures. He described himself as "very obedient" in liturgical matters, urging that liturgy be prepared "in the best way possible." He stated that "liturgy needs to be beautiful to help us, to strengthen us in our faith." In his first Mass as pope, he used a papal ferula made for Benedict XVI, signaling to some a "return to normal." However, during his Inauguration Mass, he used the ferula of Pope Paul VI. He received another pectoral cross, a silver one with relics of St. Leo the Great, St. Augustine, and others. He also restored the custom of the pope personally giving archbishops the pallium. In September 2025, permission was granted for the Tridentine Mass to be said in St. Peter's Basilica, the first time since 2021.
Within church politics, Prevost is seen as a moderate or centrist. He opposes abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, and the death penalty. He expressed reservations about "sympathy for beliefs and practices that contradict the gospel" and did not fully endorse or reject Fiducia Supplicans, stating that national bishops' conferences should "interpret and apply such directives in their local contexts." Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich believed Leo might "re-interpret" Fiducia Supplicans. In 2012, Prevost criticized popular culture's sympathy for the "homosexual lifestyle." In 2016, he opposed "gender ideology" in Peruvian school curricula. Asked in 2023 if his views had changed, he said "many things have changed" and emphasized the church should be more open and welcoming, though doctrine has not. In May 2025, Leo XIV stated it was up to governments to build peaceful societies by investing in the family. In September 2025, he told Reverend James J. Martin that he would continue Pope Francis's legacy of welcoming LGBTQ+ people into the Church.
During his time in Chiclayo, Prevost remained relatively politically neutral nationally. However, he expressed sadness and pain over deaths during Peruvian protests and supported Venezuelan refugees. Regarding climate change, he advocated for stronger church action, stating that "dominion over nature" should not be "tyrannical." He has consistently advocated against armed conflict, denouncing the Russian invasion of Ukraine and calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza war. He urged Iranian and Israeli authorities to act with "reason" after Israeli strikes on Iran. He said the Vatican "at this time" cannot define the war as a "genocide" but noted more people describe it as such. In his Pentecost homily, Leo criticized the "exclusionary mindset" of nationalist movements, stating the Holy Spirit "breaks down barriers and tears down the walls of indifference and hatred." He proclaimed the Church needed to "open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race." He also condemned femicide.
Throughout his time as a bishop and cardinal, Prevost continued to vote in U.S. elections. His former X account retweeted posts critical of U.S. immigration policies and expressed support for COVID-19 vaccination and sympathy for George Floyd and protesters.
In addition to English, Leo speaks Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, with some German, and can read Latin. He learned a little of a Quechuan language in Peru. He describes himself as "quite the amateur tennis player" and is the first pope who writes his own emails and wears a smartwatch. He regularly plays Wordle and Words with Friends with his brothers. A lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox, he also supports the Chicago Bears and Villanova University athletics. He enjoyed driving recreationally and driving long distances. He maintained a workout plan for posture and cardiovascular health, noted for his stamina and positivity. During his time as bishop of Chiclayo, he had periods of prayer, celebrated daily Mass, and prayed the Rosary with his priests.
Villanova awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 2014. In 2025, Time magazine included him among the world's 100 most influential people in Artificial Intelligence.
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Pope Leo XIV (born Robert Francis Prevost, September 14, 1955) is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. He is the first pope to have been born in the United States and North America, the first to hold U.S. and Peruvian citizenships, the first born after World War II, the first from the Order of Saint Augustine, and the second from the Americas after his predecessor Pope Francis.
Prevost was born in Chicago and raised in the nearby suburb of Dolton, Illinois. He became a friar of the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977 and was ordained as a priest in 1982. He earned a Doctor of Canon Law (JCD) degree in 1987, from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. His service includes extensive missionary work in Peru in the 1980s and 1990s, where he worked as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher, and administrator. Elected prior general of the Order of Saint Augustine, he was based in Rome from 2001 to 2013, and extensively traveled to the order's provinces and missions around the world. He then returned to Peru as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome, and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Made a cardinal by Pope Francis, Prevost emphasized synodality, missionary dialogue, and engagement with social and technological challenges. He also engaged with issues such as climate change, global migration, church governance, and human rights, and expressed alignment with the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
Prevost's election in the 2025 conclave was unexpected by observers; he was a dark horse candidate, with Vatican insiders believing the prospect of a pope from the United States to be unrealistic inasmuch as the country was a superpower. In honor of Pope Leo XIII, who developed modern Catholic social teaching amid the Second Industrial Revolution, Prevost chose the papal name Leo XIV as a response to the challenges of a new industrial revolution and artificial intelligence.
== Early life, family, and education (1955-1973) ==
=== Background and ancestry ===
Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, at Mercy Hospital in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, on the city's South Side. He is of Spanish, French, Italian, and Louisiana Creole descent. His father, Louis Marius Prevost, was a Chicago native, having grown up in Hyde Park. Louis's father and mother were immigrants from Italy and France, respectively. Louis Prevost was a United States Navy veteran of World War II who commanded an infantry landing craft in the Normandy landings and later participated in Operation Dragoon in southern France. An educator, he later became superintendent of Brookwood School District 167 in Glenwood, Illinois. Leo XIV's mother, Mildred Agnes Prevost (née Martínez), was also born in Chicago, into a mixed-race Black Creole family from Louisiana. She was also an educator, and a librarian, including at Mendel Catholic High School.
=== Early life and schooling ===
Known as "Rob" to his family and "Bob" to friends as an adult, Prevost was raised in Dolton, Illinois, a suburb bordering the far South Side; his childhood home was purchased by the Village of Dolton after he became pope. He grew up in the parish of St. Mary of the Assumption in nearby Riverdale. His parents were practicing Catholics who were very involved in the parish: Louis was a catechist, a teacher of the faith; while Mildred was an active member of the Rosary and Altar Society, sang in the church choir, provided services for the church and went to daily Mass. According to Leo, what influenced him spiritually was his parents' faith, prayer life and Marian devotions ("My parents prayed the rosary together their whole lives everyday") and their mutual love. His mother would call him and his brothers to go to Mass before school at 6:30 a.m., and told them that Jesus "is your best friend," and Mass "a way to find that friend." Leo went to the parish Catholic school, sang in the choir, and served as an altar boy. Prevost has two older brothers, Louis Martín, and John Joseph. Prevost aspired to the priesthood from a young age, and would play-act the Mass at home with his brothers.
From 1969 to 1973, Prevost attended St. Augustine Seminary High School, a minor seminary near Saugatuck, Michigan; his brother John recalled how, from the end of eighth grade on, and especially after joining the Order of Saint Augustine, until their later adulthood when leave allowed them to reconnect, Prevost was hardly at home or with their family.
At the Augustinian seminary, he earned a letter of commendation for academic excellence, consistently appeared on the honor roll, served as yearbook editor-in-chief, and was secretary of the student council and a member of the National Honor Society. He captained the bowling team and headed the speech and debate team, competing in Congressional Debate. Well-liked and highly intelligent, Prevost had a reputation for helping other students as a tutor. Out of several dozen who entered the school with him, Prevost was one of only 13 students in his class to graduate.
== University and early priesthood (1973–1998) ==
=== University ===
In 1973, Prevost was planning to attend Tolentine College, an Augustinian seminary in Olympia Fields, Illinois, but it closed that same year. He promptly enrolled in Villanova University, an Augustinian college located near Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in mathematics in 1977. At Villanova, he took elective courses in Hebrew and Latin (which was seen as unusual because he was not majoring in theology), read the writings of Saint Augustine, and discussed the work of theologian Karl Rahner with other students. He lived in the Augustinian friary, and was remembered as "particularly committed... to missionary work," and being "the most community minded" among the students. Prevost also worked as a cemetery groundskeeper at Saint Denis Catholic Church in Havertown, Pennsylvania, while studying at Villanova.
=== Entry into Augustinians ===
On September 1, 1977, Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine as a novice in the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel. He resided for one year at Immaculate Conception Church in the Gate District neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. In the summer of 1978, Prevost spent three months in Clinical Pastoral Education at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. He took his first vows on September 2, 1978 and his solemn vows on August 29, 1981.
He returned to his father's native Hyde Park to obtain a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Catholic Theological Union in 1982 and taught physics and math at St. Rita of Cascia High School in the Wrightwood neighborhood of Chicago during his studies. As his spiritual director, a guide to the Christian life, he chose a woman religious, Sister Lyn Osiek, RSCJ, the supervisor of his theological reflection class. She described him as "calm and steady... a person who was at peace with himself."
=== Ordination and missionary work in Peru ===
On September 10, 1981, Prevost was ordained a deacon by Thomas Gumbleton at St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. That same year, Prevost concluded his studies at Catholic Theological Union. Prevost was ordained a priest in Rome, at the Chapel of Saint Monica of the Augustinians by Archbishop Jean Jadot on June 19, 1982.
Prevost earned a Licentiate of Canon Law (JCL) in 1984, followed by a Doctor of Canon Law (JCD) degree in 1987, both from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. During this period, he also learned Italian. His doctoral thesis was a canon law study of the role of local priors in the Order of Saint Augustine.
"Padre Roberto" joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985, serving as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas (1985–1986), as well as an aide to bishop John McNabb. Much of his work in his first year in Peru was focused on disaster relief following severe El Niño rainstorms. In 1987, after defending his doctoral thesis, he was vocation director and missions director of the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Olympia Fields, Illinois, and worked with the faculty of the Augustinian Novitiate in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, before returning to Peru in 1988. During his time in Peru, Prevost met and appreciated the Dominican priest and theologian Gustavo Gutierrez, a pioneer of liberation theology. He also learned and mastered the Spanish language during this period.
Prevost spent a decade heading the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, teaching canon law in the diocesan seminary, serving as prefect of studies, acting as a judge in the regional ecclesiastical court, and working in parish ministry on the city's outskirts, coming into contact with poor farmers and Peruvian indigenous peoples. He proved successful in the Augustinians' efforts to recruit Peruvians for the priesthood and leadership positions in the order. He organized support for Venezuelan refugees to Peru despite discrimination against the Venezuelans.
During the Fujimorato era, Prevost criticized the actions of then-President Alberto Fujimori, placing special emphasis on the victims of the Peruvian Army, especially the Colina Group, during the period of terrorism in Peru, as well as on political corruption. In 2017, he criticized President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's decision to pardon Fujimori, and called upon Fujimori "to personally apologize for some of the great injustices that were committed". His years in Peru gave him personal knowledge of political violence and inequality; at times, as a missionary, he traveled by horse on difficult roads to reach the isolated communities in the valleys of Lambayeque. He also stood out as a defender of human rights of the population of the Norte Chico region against the violence of the Marxist–Leninist–Maoist guerrilla organization Shining Path. However, Trujilio, the area where Prevost served, was not particularly affected by the Shining Path.
== Prior provincial and prior general (1998–2013) ==
In 1998, Prevost was elected Prior Provincial of the Order of St. Augustine's Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel based in Chicago, assuming the role on March 8, 1999. In 2000, he permitted James Ray, an Augustinian priest, to reside at St. John Stone Friary in Chicago under supervision. Ray had been suspended from public ministry since 1991 due to credible accusations that he had sexually abused minors. Prevost's allowing of the placement of Ray in a friary at the request of the Archdiocese of Chicago and close to St. Thomas School was the subject of reporting in 2021, prior to his appointment to the Vatican. According to the Augustinians, "the location was selected because of the supervision the priest would receive." After American bishops implemented stricter rules in the Dallas Charter, Ray was moved to other housing in 2002.
Elected Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine in 2001, Prevost served two consecutive, six-year terms until 2013. During his tenure as the global head of the Augustinian order, Prevost lived and worked in Rome, but frequently traveled around the world. It was in that capacity that in 2004, he visited Buenos Aires and met Cardinal Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio for the first time. Their early encounters are reported to have not gone well. Prevost later explained that at the time, he thought he would never become a bishop after Bergoglio was elected pope in 2013, but has declined to reveal what they initially disagreed upon. However, they were able to reconcile their differences before Prevost left Rome for Chicago in 2013. Soon after his election as prior general, Prevost personally oversaw the creation of a web site for the Augustinians.
From 2013 to 2014, Prevost served as director of formation at the Convent of St. Augustine in Chicago, and as first councilor and provincial vicar of the province of Our Mother of Good Counsel.
== Bishop of Chiclayo (2015–2023) ==
On November 3, 2014, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in northern Peru and the titular bishop of Sufar. He was consecrated on December 12, 2014, at St. Mary Cathedral by Archbishop James Green, Apostolic Nuncio to Peru. On September 26, 2015, he was named Bishop of Chiclayo. As required by a 1980 agreement between the Holy See and Peru, Prevost became a naturalized Peruvian citizen before becoming bishop. At the time of his appointment, Chiclayo was described as a conservative diocese, having been staffed by Opus Dei priests for many decades.
Prevost developed a close bond with the diocese of Chiclayo, directing a special message to them in his first message as Pope, calling them "my beloved diocese", "faithful people" and "faithful church". He was seen as being "very faithful to the Church's social doctrine" and organized relief efforts during calamities. He also supported projects in favor of Venezuelan refugees and encouraged vocations in youth groups, giving strong support to the seminary. He helped victims of trafficking and sex workers learn new skills and trades, and invited them to spiritual retreats, while ensuring that volunteer workers have adequate training. He is remembered for his capacity to listen and have discussions with different groups before taking action, and working with institutions when facing controversial issues. He established a diocesan Commission on Integral Ecology and appointed a woman to lead it. According to interviews done by The Pillar, people in the diocese described their bishop as having a "balanced" personality, a "calming presence", showing "great charity and great clarity" in doctrinal matters, and a competent administrator and bridge-builder open to dialogue and never hurtful, with "apostolic zeal"
On July 13, 2019, Prevost was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Clergy, and on April 15, 2020, he became apostolic administrator of Callao. On November 21, 2020, he joined the Congregation for Bishops. Within the Episcopal Conference of Peru, he served on the permanent council (2018–2020) and was elected president of its Commission for Education and Culture in 2019, also contributing to Caritas Peru. His presence in the permanent council of the episcopal conference was seen by Cardinal Joseph Tobin as "extraordinary for someone who was not born in Peru. Clearly, he has a broad degree of acceptance in the divided group." Prevost had a private audience with Pope Francis on March 1, 2021, sparking speculation about a new role in Chicago or Rome.
Prevost has been accused of covering up sexual abuse during his time in Chiclayo. In 2022, alleged victims of abuse in 2007 by priests Ricardo Yesquén Paiva and Eleuterio Vásquez Gonzáles said the Diocese of Chiclayo failed to investigate their cases. The Diocese of Chiclayo stated that Prevost followed proper procedures, met with Ana María Quispe and her sisters in April 2022 to personally attend the victims, encouraged them to initiate a civil action, and initiated a canonical investigation, the results of which he sent to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. The sisters stated in 2024 that no full penal canonical investigation occurred, and an investigation by América Televisión concluded that the church's investigation was not thorough.
In response the diocese of Chiclayo stated the allegations of the TV program were false, calling on it to correct its inaccuracies. The diocese said that the accused priest "never admitted" to the accusations, that Prevost prohibited him from exercising the priestly ministry and the priest transferred residence to his family's home. Prevost submitted the dossier to the Vatican, which gave a "pro nunc" decision or temporary dismissal. The diocese later reopened the case and resent it to the Vatican, and thus it remains "open up to now."
Speaking to the Peruvian newspaper La República while Bishop of Chiclayo, Prevost said: "If you are a victim of sexual abuse by a priest, report it. We reject cover-ups and secrecy; that causes a lot of harm. We have to help people who have suffered due to wrongdoing." Journalist Pedro Salinas, who investigated and exposed crimes committed by members of the now-defunct Sodalitium Christianae Vitae—including sexual, physical, and psychological abuse—has argued that Prevost always expressed his support for the victims and was one of the most reliable clerical authorities in Peru, leading Pope Francis to select him as prefect of bishops. Salinas has written that some of the Peruvian clerics linked to the Sodalitium sought to attack and defame Prevost in retaliation for his role in the Sodalitium's dissolution by Pope Francis due to its sexual abuse scandals, as well as Prevost being near to Francis's political theology.
== Dicastery for Bishops and cardinalate (2023–2025) ==
By the 2020s, Pope Francis had become close to Prevost and advanced his career. On January 30, 2023, Francis appointed Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops with the title Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo. Prevost expressed a preference to stay in Peru, but accepted the appointment. He continued to be active in the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council and participated in the council's meetings in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, in May 2023.
On September 30, 2023, Francis created Prevost a cardinal with the rank of Cardinal-Deacon and assigned the deaconry of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani. As prefect, he played a critical role in evaluating and recommending episcopal candidates worldwide, increasing his visibility within the church. These roles elevated his prominence as a papal candidate leading into the conclave. In October 2023, Francis appointed him as a member of seven additional dicasteries, and also named him to the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State.
On February 6, 2025, Francis promoted Prevost to cardinal-bishop, assigning him as titular bishop of the Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano. On February 11, he was appointed to the dignity and rank of Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Order of Malta by Grand Master Fra' John Dunlap.
== Written works before the papacy and theology of leadership ==
Given his focus on mission, the writings of Prevost before his election were few. When he was global head of the Augustinians, the Rule and Constitutions of the Order of Saint Augustine was "issued by Authority of the Prior General, Robert F. Prevost" in 2002.
Aside from four journal articles published mostly in Augustininan journals, his main work of scholarship is his doctoral dissertation, The office and authority of the local Prior in the Order of Saint Augustine, published by the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in 1987. The work has been noted for its legal precision, Augustinian roots, postconciliar engagement and historical depth. Much of the commentary see this work as a window to his "vision of the church" and "theology of leadership."
In his thesis, Prevost sees that authority is received from above, and therefore "the substance of the office of the superior is to obey; to obey the will of God and to put great effort into trying to know it, to formulate it and to specify it for his subjects." Leadership is based on Jesus Christ's threefold offices of teaching, sanctifying and governing, who sanctifies by prayer and builds community by being centered on the Mass, having "the care of the Brothers, 'especially in spiritual matters.'" The prior must help make the sacraments regular and reverent, protecting "each brother's freedom of conscience while promoting 'frequent' confession."
Based on St. Augustine's concept, Prevost sees authority as a service. He says that service means "listening to what the Spirit is saying in His people so that His projects can be carried out freely and willingly. The Prior then is called to listen, so that together they can discern and implement what the Spirit inspires."
== Papacy (2025–present) ==
=== Election ===
In pre-conclave speculation, Prevost was considered a dark horse compared to more prominent papabili, although he was noted to be an ally of Pope Francis and a possible compromise candidate. His American nationality had been regarded as a potential stumbling block to his candidacy, reflecting unease about enhancing the United States's geopolitical power. Prevost was well aware of this, explaining to a friend by text message: "I'm an American, I can't be elected". Supporters argued that he represented a "dignified middle of the road".
Prevost was elected pope on May 8, 2025, the second day of the conclave, on the fourth ballot. White smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel at 18:07 CEST (UTC+2), signifying to the public that a pope had been chosen. After accepting his election and adopting his papal name, Leo embraced his fellow cardinals upon exiting the Sistine Chapel. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the cardinal protodeacon, made the traditional Latin proclamation, Habemus papam, announcing Pope Leo XIV to the public for the first time from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. According to Italian law enforcement, by the time of the habemus papam announcement, there were up to 150,000 in the square.
Leo appeared wearing the traditional papal stole and mozzetta, vestments Pope Francis did not wear upon his greeting of the world following his election. His pectoral cross was one he wore during the conclave, a gift from the Postulator General of the Augustinian Order when he became a cardinal, containing relics from Saint Augustine and his mother Saint Monica, among others. He then delivered his first address to Rome and the world in Italian, advocating for peace and dialogue, expressing gratitude for the legacy of Pope Francis and quoting Saint Augustine; he also greeted his former diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, in Spanish. After the speech, he imparted his first Urbi et Orbi blessing in Latin.
Leo XIV is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine and the second pope from the Americas (after Pope Francis), and is counted as the 267th pope. He is a dual citizen of Peru and the United States. He is the first American pope, in the sense of being the first born in the United States. He is the second to be a native English speaker, after the English-born Adrian IV (r. 1154–1159), who would have spoken Middle English. Leo is also the first pope born after World War II and during the Cold War, and thus the first to be born in the Baby Boomer generation. While Leo is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine, six previous popes belonged to other orders which follow the Augustinian Rule.
=== Inauguration ===
On May 9, the day after his election, Leo celebrated his first Mass as pope in the Sistine Chapel before the assembled College of Cardinals. During the Mass, he preached against the lack of faith in the world, and spoke of a church that would act as a "beacon that illuminates the dark nights of this world". Media reported that Leo would take up permanent residence in the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace rather than in the Domus Sanctae Marthae where Francis lived.
Leo's inauguration Mass was held on May 18 in St. Peter's Square. During the Mass, he received the pallium and his Ring of the Fisherman before 12 representatives of the people of God, including cardinals and bishops, who vowed obedience to the new pope. On May 25, he was formally installed as Bishop of Rome in a ceremony at the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran.
=== Post-election reactions and impact ===
In Chiclayo, thousands crowded the city square for a Mass of Thanksgiving following Leo's election. Similar Masses were celebrated all over Peru. In the US, over 30,000 Americans gathered at Chicago's Rate Field for a youth-focused celebration with a video message of Leo XIV who urged Catholics to be "beacons of hope".
Political leaders sent their congratulations. President Donald Trump stated that it is "a Great Honor for our Country", while Vice President J.D. Vance, a Catholic, talked about Catholics and other Christians praying "for his successful work leading the Church". The European Council President António Costa said it was "a moment of hope".
=== Early acts ===
On June 5, Leo nominated Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou, which was approved by Chinese authorities on June 11 as part of a 2018 agreement between the People's Republic of China and the Holy See under Pope Francis. On July 5, Leo appointed French archbishop Thibault Verny to succeed Seán Patrick O'Malley as president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. O'Malley endorsed the selection, describing Verny as "a collaborative leader committed to advancing the global adoption of protection and safeguarding, to as best possible assure the safety of those in the care of the Church throughout the world."
On July 6, 2025, Leo revived the papal practice of taking summer residence at the Castel Gandolfo, which Francis had discontinued.
On September 7, 2025, Leo presided over the canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati at a mass in Saint Peter's Square.
== Views ==
Prevost's regnal name was chosen in honor of Pope Leo XIII (r. 1878–1903), whose encyclical Rerum novarum established modern Catholic social teaching and promoted labor rights. According to the Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni, this choice is "clearly a reference to the lives of men and women, to their work – even in an age marked by artificial intelligence."
According to Cardinal Fernando Chomalí of Chile, Leo told him that the choice of papal name is based on his concern about the world's cultural shifts, a type of Copernican Revolution involving artificial intelligence and robotics. Chomalí said: "He was inspired by Leo XIII, who amid the Industrial Revolution wrote Rerum novarum launching an important dialogue between the church and the modern world." Leo himself explained that "the church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice, and labor."
In a May 2023 interview, Prevost stressed the need for prudence and responsibility on using social media to preclude "fueling divisions and controversy" and doing "damage to the communion of the Church." This view is in line with his tendency to speak "with caution and great deliberation", as Christopher White, the Vatican correspondent of the National Catholic Reporter, described him.
The National Catholic Reporter stated that Leo XIV is committed to ecumenism with other Christian denominations. At his inauguration, he referenced "sister Christian Churches" and prayed for "a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world." Leo XIV's first international trip as pontiff will be to Turkey at the end of November, to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea with other Christians.
=== Church policy ===
The new pope's first message emphasized the greeting of peace of the risen Jesus "who gave his life for God's flock", giving "an unarmed and disarming peace". Leo said he wanted to continue the kerygmatic blessing of Pope Francis: "God cares for you, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail! We are all in God's hands." The themes in his first message included Jesus as light needed by the world, becoming a missionary church through dialogue and openness, fidelity to the Gospel, walking together in synodality, working as a united church for peace and justice, closeness to the suffering, and praying to Mary. Twice he mentioned the need of not having fear, and emphasized God's help to "build bridges" for "all of us to be one people always in peace."
In his first address as pope to the cardinals, Leo declared his "complete commitment" to the ecclesial path traced by the Second Vatican Council. He praised Pope Francis's specification of this path through Evangelii Gaudium, the Joy of the Gospel, and highlighted six "evangelical principles", which he deems as perennial and revelatory of God's mercy: the primacy of Christ in proclamation; the missionary conversion of the entire Christian community; collegiality and synodality; attention to the sensus fidei, the capacity of the whole faithful to sense the faith, especially popular piety; loving care for the least and the rejected; and dialogue with the contemporary world.
Leo XIV's episcopal motto is In illo Uno unum ("In the One, we are one"). On the official start of his pontificate, during the inaugural Mass, he requested that "our first great desire be for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world." Noting that there is "too much discord" in the world, he stressed that "the two dimensions of the mission" of the papacy is "love and unity", as its authority is "a question of loving as Jesus did."
Discussing the ordination of women in October 2023, Prevost stated that the "very significant and long tradition of the church" makes it impossible to consider women as priests and that "the apostolic tradition is something that has been spelled out very clearly." By contrast, he observed that the possibility of women deacons has been the subject of two Vatican commissions, demonstrating "openness to giving consideration" to that question. He also cautioned that the ordination of women as deacons "doesn't necessarily solve a problem" and could create new issues. Commenting on Pope Francis's 2023 appointment of three women as members of the Dicastery for Bishops, which he headed, he noted that their perspectives often align with other members but can introduce new valuable viewpoints.
As a cardinal, Prevost was a vocal proponent of synodality, one of Pope Francis's signature initiatives. Prevost suggested that the participation and co-responsibility of all the faithful could address the polarization in the church. In May 2023, Prevost said that episcopal leadership should prioritize faith over administration. The first priority is to "communicate the beauty of the faith, the beauty and joy of knowing Jesus." Also in May 2023, Prevost said he has faith that "the Holy Spirit is [...] pushing us towards a renewal." He stated that all the faithful are "called to the great responsibility of living what I call a new attitude," which is "to listen first of all to the Holy Spirit, to what He is asking of the Church."
=== Liturgical and ceremonial practice ===
During his service in Peru, Prevost was described as an "impeccable dresser" when it came to celebrating the Mass, wearing full vestments even when summer temperatures rose above 85 °F (about 29 °C) in Chiclayo. Prevost described himself as "very obedient" in liturgical matters, and urged that the liturgy be prepared "in the best way possible." In August 2024, speaking to a Chicago-area parish, Prevost stated that "liturgy needs to be beautiful to help us, to strengthen us in our faith." In his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel as pope, he chose to use a papal ferula, or ceremonial staff, made for Benedict XVI and seldom used by Francis. The mozzetta worn after his election, and Benedict's ferula signaled to some a "return to normal" in the Holy See following the Francis papacy. However, during his Inauguration Mass in St Peter's Square on May 18, 2025, Leo XIV used the ferula of Pope Paul VI which is most commonly associated with Pope John Paul II, and frequently used by Francis. Pope Leo XIV received another pectoral cross upon his election, which he has been wearing instead of the one he wore during the conclave and his first appearance as pope. This one is silver, with relics of St. Leo the Great, St. Augustine, St. Thomas of Villanova, and Blessed Anselmo Polanco Fontecha. He also chose to restore the custom of the pope himself giving archbishops the pallium, which had been altered by Francis in 2015. In September of 2025, it was announced that Leo had given permission for the Tridentine Mass to be said in St. Peter's Basilica the following month, the first time such permission had been granted since the promulgation of Traditionis custodes in 2021.
=== Social and political issues ===
==== Overview ====
Within the context of church politics and theology, Prevost has been seen as a moderate or centrist, neither liberal nor conservative. In April 2025, the Italian newspaper la Repubblica stated that Prevost was seen as a "cosmopolitan and shy figure" who was "appreciated by conservatives and progressives" within the church. In line with the church's official positions, Prevost opposes abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage and the death penalty.
==== LGBTQ+ issues ====
Prevost expressed reservations about "sympathy for beliefs and practices that contradict the gospel" and did not fully endorse or reject Fiducia supplicans, a declaration concerning blessings for people in a same-sex relationship. He stated that national bishops' conferences should "interpret and apply such directives in their local contexts, given cultural differences." Víctor Manuel Fernández, the head of the Vatican doctrine office, told Il Messaggero in July 2025 that he thought the blessing of those in same-sex unions, which had been approved under Pope Francis, would continue under Pope Leo. In May 2025, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich told La Stampa that he believed Leo "might re-interpret" Fiducia Supplicans, but not "abolish" it.
In 2012, Prevost criticized popular culture's sympathy for the "homosexual lifestyle" and same-sex families. In April 2016, he opposed the inclusion of "gender ideology" in Peruvian primary school curricula, stating it promotes "genders that don't exist". When asked in 2023 by Catholic News Service whether his views from 2012 had changed, Prevost said that "many things have changed" and emphasized the church should be more open and welcoming though he cautioned that church doctrine has not changed.
In May 2025, Leo XIV said that it was up to governments to build peaceful societies "above all by investing in the family, founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman." In September 2025, Leo told Reverend James J. Martin, a major advocate for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Church, that he would continue Francis' legacy of welcoming LGBTQ+ people into the Church, with Martin telling The Associated Press that their discussion "was very consoling and very encouraging and frankly a lot of fun."
==== Geopolitics ====
During his time in Chiclayo, Prevost remained relatively politically neutral on national issues. However, in the midst of the Peruvian protests in 2023, he stated: "The deaths during the protests cause me great sadness and pain [...] I asked to stay in Peru; I even made that request to the Holy Father. It wasn't the time to leave." He has also expressed support for the plight of Venezuelan refugees in Peru. With regards to climate change, Prevost has advocated for stronger church action, stating in a November 2024 seminar that "dominion over nature" should not be "tyrannical".
On geopolitics, Prevost has consistently advocated against armed conflict. He denounced the Russian invasion of Ukraine, describing it as "a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power", and in one of his first major speeches as pope, Leo called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war. Following the Israeli strikes on Iran in June 2025, he urged Iranian and Israeli authorities to act with "reason". On August 27, Leo said, "I beg for a permanent ceasefire to be reached, the safe entry of humanitarian aid to be facilitated and humanitarian law to be fully respected." The Washington Post reported in September 2025 that Leo said the Vatican "at this time" cannot define the war as a "genocide", but he also noted that more and more people have described it as such. Leo also issued prayers for those affected by the clashes in southern Syria, and the 2025 Cambodia–Thailand clashes.
In his Pentecost homily soon after his election as Pope, Leo criticized the "exclusionary mindset" displayed by various nationalist movements. The Holy Spirit "breaks down barriers and tears down the walls of indifference and hatred", he said. To Leo, areas advertized as "security zones" had the effect of "separating us from our neighbors" and spreading "prejudice". He proclaimed that the Church needed to "open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race." Leo additionally condemned femicide during the homily, calling it both painful and tragic and attributing it to "an unhealthy desire for domination."
==== US politics ====
Throughout his time as a bishop and as a cardinal, Prevost continued to vote in both state and federal elections in the United States, being a registered voter in Will County, Illinois. Illinois election law does not require voters to register by political party, thus Prevost has never officially declared any affiliation to a political party. The elections Prevost has voted in include the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, the Democratic primary for the 2010 Illinois gubernatorial election, the 2012 Republican presidential primary, the Republican primary for the 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election, the 2016 Republican presidential primary, and the 2024 United States general election.
On the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Prevost's former account retweeted posts critical of US immigration policies under President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. He has also expressed support for COVID-19 vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic and sympathy for George Floyd and protesters. His X account which he used prior to his election as pope has since been deleted and he is currently using the official @Pontifex handle, inherited from Popes Francis and Benedict.
== Personal life ==
In addition to his native language of English, Leo speaks Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, along with some German. He can also read Latin. During his time in Peru, Leo learned a little of one of the Quechuan languages. He has described himself as "quite the amateur tennis player". He is the first pope who writes his own emails and wears a smartwatch, specifically an Apple Watch. He regularly plays Wordle and Words with Friends with his brothers.
Leo is a lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball, and was in attendance at US Cellular Field for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. His support for Chicago sports also extends to the National Football League's Chicago Bears; United States Vice President JD Vance presented him with a custom Bears jersey following his papal inauguration, which Leo remarked was a "good choice". He has also shown support for Villanova University athletics, especially the Villanova Wildcats men's basketball team. In a review of an upcoming biography about him, the Washington Post reported that in a hypothetical World Cup match-up between the United States and Peru, Leo would support Peru.
As a teenager, he enjoyed driving recreationally. Throughout his life, he has frequently preferred driving long distances for journeys where most people would prefer to fly, such as from Philadelphia to Chicago, Brisbane to Sydney, and Chiclayo to Lima. He also repaired cars himself as a bishop in Chiclayo.
For two years before becoming pope, Prevost, aged 68–69, would go two to three times a week to a gym for an hour, with a workout plan designed for men aged 50–55, focusing on posture and cardiovascular health. His personal trainer recalled Prevost's stamina and his being "always positive about everything".
During his time as bishop of Chiclayo, aside from daily Mass celebrated at 8 p.m. to ensure a clear mind, Prevost had periods of prayer at the beginning of the day and before dinner. He prayed lauds in the morning at the Cathedral and the Rosary with his priest colleagues around noon.
== Honors ==
Villanova awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 2014. In 2025, Time magazine included Leo among the world's 100 most influential people in Artificial Intelligence.
== Coat of arms ==
== See also ==
Family of Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV bibliography
Cardinals created by Francis
List of popes by length of reign
List of popes by country
== Notes ==
== References ==
== External links ==
Vatican webpage about Pope Leo XIV
Appearances on C-SPAN
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