The election of Pope Leo XIV (born Robert Francis Prevost) on May 8, 2025 marks a historic moment for the Catholic Church – the first American to assume the papacy in its 2,000-year history. This in-depth profile examines his background, views, and the significance of his election.
Early Life and Education
Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois to Louis Marius Prevost (of French and Italian descent) and Mildred Martínez (of Spanish descent) 1112. He grew up in Dolton, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, where he attended St. Mary of the Assumption parish school and served as an altar boy 11.
His educational journey included:
- St. Augustine Seminary High School in Holland, Michigan (graduated 1973)
- Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova University (1977) 1112
- Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago (1982)
- Licentiate (1984) and Doctorate (1987) in Canon Law from Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome 1112
Ecclesiastical Career
Early Ministry and Missionary Work
Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) in 1977, taking solemn vows in 1981 12. After ordination in 1982, he began extensive missionary work in Peru that would shape his worldview:
- 1985-1986: Chancellor of Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas
- 1988-1998: Seminary director, professor, and parish priest in Trujillo 1112
- Became fluent in Spanish and immersed in Latin American culture
- Gained Peruvian citizenship in 2015 11
Leadership Roles
Prevost rose through Augustinian ranks:
- Prior Provincial of Chicago Province (1998-2001)
- Prior General of Augustinian Order (2001-2013) – first American to hold this global position 1112
- Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2015-2023) 11
- Prefect of Dicastery for Bishops (2023-2025) 12
- Created Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023 11
Election as Pope
Prevost was elected on May 8, 2025 after a two-day conclave following Pope Francis’s death, taking the name Leo XIV 7. His choice of name honors:
- Leo XIII (1878-1903), known as the “Pope of Workers” who wrote Rerum Novarum on labor rights 28
- The Augustinian tradition of service and pastoral care 13
Key historic firsts:
- First American pope
- First pope from the Augustinian order 11
- First pope with Peruvian citizenship 10
Political and Theological Views
Social Media Activity
As Cardinal Prevost, his X (formerly Twitter) account @drprevost revealed:
- Frequent criticism of Trump administration immigration policies 210
- Retweeted condemnation of family separation policies (“warehousing children in cages”) 10
- Shared articles critical of VP JD Vance’s immigration stance 19
- Supported Black Lives Matter and COVID-19 vaccination 4
- Opposed Trump’s refugee bans in 2017 2
Key Positions
Immigration: Aligned with Pope Francis’s pro-immigrant stance. Criticized deportation policies and rhetoric about “bad hombres” 2810
LGBTQ+ Issues: More conservative than Francis. Opposed “gender ideology” in Peruvian schools and criticized “homosexual lifestyle” in 2012 speech 8. Has not endorsed same-sex union blessings 8
Abortion: Shared anti-abortion content, including articles supporting Mike Pence’s views 19
Climate Change: Supports Vatican environmental initiatives like solar panels 8
Church Reform: Continued Francis’s synodal approach and inclusion of women in decision-making 8
Voting History and Political Affiliation
Illinois voting records show:
- Voted in Republican primaries in 2012, 2014, 2016 19
- Voted in Democratic primary in 2008, 2010 9
- Participated in 2024 general election (party unknown) 9
- Illinois doesn’t register voters by party; primary participation doesn’t indicate registration 1
Analysts note his views don’t align neatly with U.S. political parties – conservative on social issues but progressive on immigration and poverty 13.
Global Reaction
Political Leaders:
- Trump: Called election “a Great Honor for our Country” despite Prevost’s criticism 10
- Biden: Offered congratulations as fellow Catholic 10
- Macron: Praised “historic moment” for Church 1
Church Figures:
- Seen as continuity candidate who balances progressive and conservative wings 13
- Augustinian colleagues describe him as moderate bridge-builder 13
Challenges Ahead
- Healing divisions within Church
- Addressing sex abuse crisis (faced criticism over handling cases in Peru/Chicago) 8
- Navigating relations with U.S. politicians despite policy disagreements
- Leading Church through global conflicts and inequalities 13
Personal Life
- Fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, Latin 11
- Avid Chicago White Sox fan 9
- Known for humility, humor, and pastoral approach 13
- At 69, oldest elected pope since Benedict XVI in 2005 11
Pope Leo XIV’s papacy represents both continuity with Francis’s reforms and new American influences on the global Church. His multicultural background and experience with poverty in Latin America may shape a papacy focused on unity, justice, and pastoral care – true to his episcopal motto: “In the one Christ we are one
