Pope Leo XIV facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leo XIV |
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| Bishop of Rome | |
Prevost in 2014
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | May 8, 2025 |
| Predecessor | Francis |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 19, 1982 |
| Consecration | December 12, 2014 by James Patrick Green |
| Created Cardinal | September 30, 2023 |
| Rank | Cardinal Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Robert Francis Prevost |
| Born | September 14, 1955 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Previous post |
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| Education |
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| Motto | In illo Uno unum (Latin for 'In the One, one') |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Other Popes named Leo | |
| Papal styles of Pope Leo XIV |
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.svg) |
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| Reference style | His Holiness |
| Spoken style | Your Holiness |
| Religious style | Holy Father |
Pope Leo XIV (born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955) is the leader of the Catholic Church. He is also the ruler of Vatican City.
He is the first pope from North America. He is also the first pope from an English-speaking country since Adrian IV. He is the first American and Peruvian pope. Pope Leo XIV is also the first pope to come from the Order of Saint Augustine, and the seventh Augustinian pope in history.
Robert Francis Prevost was born in Chicago, Illinois. He spent his early years working for the Order of Saint Augustine there. As part of his work, he served in Peru from 1985 to 1986 and again from 1988 to 1998. During this time, he was a parish pastor, a church official, and a seminary teacher.
Later, he moved to Rome. There, he was chosen as the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine from 2001 to 2013. Pope Francis then named Prevost the Bishop of Chiclayo when he returned to Peru. He served in this role from 2015 to 2023.
In 2023, he became a cardinal. He was also appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. This important job made him a possible candidate for pope. He also became president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in 2023.
After the death of Pope Francis in April 2025, cardinals met to choose a new pope. On May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV was elected as Francis' successor.
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Early Life and Education
Robert Francis Prevost was born at Mercy Hospital in Chicago on September 14, 1955. His parents were Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martínez. His father was a United States Navy veteran and school administrator. His mother was a librarian. Prevost has two brothers.
He grew up in Dolton, Illinois, a town near Chicago. He was an altar boy at St. Mary of the Assumption Church. He finished high school at St. Augustine Seminary High School in 1973. He was a very good student and was often on the Honor Roll.
He was also the editor-in-chief of the yearbook and secretary of the Student Council. His yearbook even won second place in a competition. In 1977, Prevost earned a degree in mathematics from Villanova University.
Prevost can speak English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese. He can also read Latin and German.
Becoming an Augustinian Priest
In September 1977, Prevost decided to become a priest and joined the Order of St. Augustine. He took his first vows in September 1978 and his final vows in August 1981. The next year, he earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. While studying, he sometimes taught physics and math at St. Rita of Cascia High School.
Archbishop Jean Jadot ordained Prevost as a priest for the Augustinians in Rome on June 19, 1982. He continued his studies and earned degrees in canon law (church law) from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
In 1985, Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru. He worked as chancellor for a church area called the Territorial Prélature of Chulucanas from 1985 to 1986. He returned to Peru in 1988 and spent ten years leading the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo. He also taught church law and served as a judge in the church court.
In 1998, Prevost was chosen to lead the Augustinian Province of Chicago. He returned to the United States for this role in March 1999.
From 2001 to 2013, Prevost was elected to serve two six-year terms as the Prior General of the Augustinians. This meant he was the worldwide leader of the order. From 2013 to 2014, he worked in Chicago, helping to train new Augustinians.
Bishop of Chiclayo
On November 3, 2014, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as the temporary leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru. He was also named a bishop. He became a bishop on December 12, 2014, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Chiclayo. On September 26, 2015, he was officially named the Bishop of Chiclayo. Prevost also became a citizen of Peru in 2015.
He was appointed to important church groups in Rome, including the Congregation for the Clergy in 2019 and the Congregation for Bishops in 2020. He also served on the permanent council for the Episcopal Conference of Peru.
Leading the Dicastery for Bishops
On January 30, 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. This is a very important job in the Roman Curia, which is like the Pope's government. This office is in charge of finding and recommending new bishops around the world.
At a special ceremony on September 30, 2023, Francis made him a cardinal. This role greatly increased Prevost's importance in the Catholic Church. It also made him a well-known figure before the next papal election.
On February 6, 2025, Francis gave Prevost an even higher rank as a cardinal-bishop.
Becoming Pope (2025–Present)
On May 8, 2025, the cardinals met to choose a new pope. On the second day, Robert Prevost was elected. He is the first pope from North America. He chose the name Leo XIV, following Leo XIII who was pope in 1903. The Vatican announced that he is the first pope to belong to the Order of Saint Augustine.
After he accepted the election, he greeted all the cardinals. About an hour later, white smoke appeared from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. This signals that a new pope has been chosen. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti then announced the news to the world from Saint Peter's Basilica. He said Prevost's full name and his chosen papal name.
Pope Leo XIV then appeared on the balcony wearing traditional papal clothes. He greeted the large crowds and gave his first speech in both Italian and Spanish. Then, he gave his first special blessing called Urbi et Orbi.
Personal Life
Pope Leo XIV has two brothers, Louis and John. His mother, Mildred, passed away in 1990, and his father, Louis, passed away in 1997.
As a cardinal, Prevost enjoyed playing tennis. When he moved to Rome, he hoped to have more chances to play. He is also a fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.
See also
In Spanish: León XIV para niños
- Cardinals created by Francis
- Pope Leo – list of popes with this name
- List of popes
