On May 8, 2025, the Universal Church rejoiced at the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., a son of the Americas. Born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, and having served the people of Peru with deep pastoral zeal, Pope Leo XIV becomes the first American-born and Peruvian citizen to assume the Petrine ministry. His choice of the name Leo XIV honors Pope Leo XIII, whose commitment to social justice and the dignity of labor—expressed powerfully in Rerum Novarum—continues to inspire the Church’s mission in the modern world.
Formed in Faith and Service
Raised in Dolton, Illinois, in a family marked by dedication to education and service, Prevost’s early years reflect the quiet formation of a heart drawn to both intellectual depth and generous ministry. He earned a degree in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1977, followed by theological and canonical formation at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and the Angelicum in Rome, where he received a Doctorate in Canon Law.
Missionary Spirit Rooted in Community
In 1977, he entered the Order of Saint Augustine and was ordained a priest in 1982. His missionary call took him to Peru in 1985, where he ministered in some of the country’s most underserved areas, particularly in Chulucanas and Trujillo. There, he served not only as a pastor but also as a formator and teacher, embodying the Augustinian values of community, humility, and interiority. From 2001 to 2013, he served as Prior General of the Augustinian Order, offering global leadership rooted in communion and fidelity to mission.
Shepherding in Peru
Recognizing his pastoral and administrative gifts, Pope Francis appointed him as Apostolic Administrator—and later Bishop—of Chiclayo in 2014. He also served as Apostolic Administrator of Callao and played a significant role in the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, particularly in the fields of education and culture. His leadership reflected a consistent focus on listening, accompaniment, and the promotion of human dignity.
A Servant at the Heart of the Church
In 2023, Cardinal Prevost was entrusted with leading the Dicastery for Bishops and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America—key roles that placed him at the heart of the Church’s discernment regarding episcopal appointments and its outreach to the Global South. Elevated to the cardinalate in September 2023 and to the rank of Cardinal Bishop in early 2025, he brought to the College of Cardinals a blend of missionary experience, canonical expertise, and pastoral sensitivity.
Pope Leo XIV: A Vision for the Church Today
Elected as the 267th successor of St. Peter, Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate with the motto In illo uno unum (“In the one Christ we are one”). This deeply ecclesial vision points to unity amid diversity and invites the whole People of God to journey together in synodality. His papacy is expected to carry forward the reforming and inclusive spirit of Pope Francis, especially in the areas of social justice, care for the marginalized, and intercultural dialogue. A Pastor with a Listening Heart Those who know Pope Leo XIV speak of his humility, capacity for dialogue, and fidelity to the Gospel. With decades of missionary and ecclesial service across cultures and continents, he brings a lived experience of the Church at the peripheries into the heart of Rome. His leadership invites all of us to discern anew how the Spirit is calling the Church to serve a world marked by complexity, suffering, and profound hope.
By Peace Patrick Musoro
English