Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. He’s now known as Pope Leo XIV after being elected as the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State on May 8, 2025. Here are some key points about him ¹:
- Early Life and Education:
- Born to Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martinez
- Completed secondary studies at the minor seminary of the Order of St. Augustine
- Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Villanova University in 1977
- Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago
- Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome
- Career Highlights:
- Joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985
- Served as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru from 2015 to 2023
- Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis in January 2023
- Elevated to Cardinal-Bishop by Pope Francis in February 2025
- Notable Roles:
- Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine (2001-2013)
- Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo and Callao
- Member of several dicasteries, including Evangelization, Doctrine of the Faith, and Legislative Texts
- Papacy: As Pope Leo XIV, he becomes the first Pope born in the United States and North America ¹ ².
