Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful.
Biography
Pope Leo XIV[a] (born Robert Francis Prevost; 14 September 1955) is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State since 8 May 2025, where he became the first United States citizen, Peruvian citizen, and North American to be elected pope. He is also the first Augustinian since Pope Eugene IV to lead the Catholic Church.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, Prevost spent the early part of his career there working for the Augustinians. He served in Peru from 1985 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1998 as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher and administrator.
He was made a cardinal in 2023. He served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since 2023. He served as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru from 2015 to 2023, and was general of the Order of Saint Augustine from 2001 to 2013.
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a prominent role that raised his profile as a potential papal candidate.[1][2][3]
Key Milestones
- Born: 14 September 1955, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- Ordained Priest (Augustinian): Date not specified in provided text.
- Service in Peru: 1985-1986 & 1988-1998
- General of the Order of Saint Augustine: 2001–2013
- Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru: 2015–2023
- Created Cardinal: 2023
- Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops: 2023–Present
- President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America: 2023–Present
- Elected Pope: 8 May 2025