On May 8, 2025, 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago will make history by becoming the first American pope, taking the name Leo XIV. His election after the death of Pope Francis was a watershed moment for the Catholic Church, breaking a long-standing taboo against American popes because of America’s geopolitical influence. The story of Prevost’s rise to pope is detailed in an article in The Guardian on May 9, 2025, highlighting his unique blend of American roots, extensive missionary work in Peru, and Francis’ reformist approach, which positions him as a bridge-builder in a divided church.
Born on September 14, 1955, Prevost would write letters to his childhood friend, Marian Anzarola, recalling his unwavering devotion, saying he never wavered during the rigorous Latin Mass, describing him as “godly, yet affable with a newfound humour.” Prevost’s path to becoming pope began with the Order of St. Augustine, which he joined as a novice in 1977. After earning a mathematics degree from Villanova University, a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago and a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome
His career took him to Peru in 1985, where he served as a missionary, parish priest and seminary teacher in Trujillo and Chulucanas. His work with marginalized communities, including Venezuelan migrants, earned him Peruvian citizenship and the nickname “Saint of the North” for his efforts during the floods and COVID-19 crisis, including securing an oxygen plant for Chiclayo. From 2001 to 2013, Robert Prevost served as Prior General of the Augustinians, traveling globally to engage with communities and refining his fluency in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese.
In 2015, Pope Francis named him Bishop of Chiclayo, and in 2023, called him to Rome to lead the Dicastery for Bishops, a key position overseeing global bishop appointments, and to chair the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he greeted the crowd in Italian and Spanish, repeating Jesus’ words, “Peace be with you.” His first speech emphasised a “synodal church” that seeks peace. He also invoked Our Lady of Pompeii, urging mass prayer for his mission. The Guardian has highlighted Prevost’s reputation as a “quiet and grounded leader” able to strike a balance between progressive and conservative factions.
His support for Francis’ reforms, including allowing women to join the dicastery for bishops and advocating environmental action such as Vatican solar panels, associates him with progressive Catholics. However, his scepticism about ordaining women and his 2012 criticism of the “homosexual lifestyle” suggest a cautious approach to doctrinal change. Controversies remain, with abuse survivors questioning the handling of abuse allegations in Chiclayo, although his diocese denies cover-up claims.
Prevost’s papacy faced challenges: a divided church, a Vatican financial crisis and global expectations. His choice of the name Leo, recalling the social justice legacy of Leo XIII, signals a commitment to workers’ rights and dialogue with modernity. As Pope Leo XIV, Prevost’s blend of humility, global experience and reformist continuity enabled him to deal with these complexities, making his election a defining moment for Catholicism.