About Pope Leo XIV
In short: Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, is an Augustinian priest who spent many years as a missionary and bishop in Peru. He was elected the 267th pope on May 8, 2025.
- 1955
- Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martínez. He grew up with his two brothers, Louis and John.
- 1977–1982
- Graduated from Villanova University in mathematics (1977) and entered the Order of Saint Augustine. Studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and was ordained a priest in Rome on June 19, 1982.
- 1985–1998
- Served as a missionary in Peru — first in Chulucanas, then for many years in Trujillo, as a teacher, formator and parish priest in a poor neighborhood.
- 2001–2013
- Elected Prior General, the worldwide leader of the Augustinians, for two terms.
- 2014–2023
- Sent by Pope Francis to the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, first as Apostolic Administrator, then as Bishop.
- 2023
- Called to Rome as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and created a Cardinal.
- 2025
- Elected Pope on May 8, 2025, taking the name Leo XIV — the first pope from the United States and the first Augustinian pope.