Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV, whose birth name is Robert Francis Prevost, was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. He assumed the papacy on May 8, 2025, during the conclave that followed the passing of Pope Francis, marking a significant moment in Catholic history.

Prevost’s journey in faith began early, as he joined the Order of Saint Augustine and was ordained as a priest in 1982. His early ministry was marked by dedicated missionary work in Peru, where he served from 1985 to 1986 and again from 1988 to 1998. Over the years, he took on various roles, including parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary educator, and administrator. From 2001 to 2013, he held the position of prior general of the Order of Saint Augustine, showcasing his leadership within the Church. In 2015, he was appointed as the Bishop of Chiclayo, a role he fulfilled until 2023.

In 2023, Pope Francis recognized Prevost's contributions by naming him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and he was elevated to the cardinalate in the same year. As the first pope born in the United States and the first to hold dual citizenship from both the U.S. and Peru, Leo XIV is also notable for being the first Pontiff of Creole descent and from the Order of Saint Augustine.