Who Exactly is Robert Prevost, Now Pope Leo XIV?

Even before his name echoed across the Vatican balcony, the crowd at St. Peter’s Square was already chanting “Viva il Papa!”, long live the Pope. That anticipation swelled into history as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was named the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the title Pope Leo XIV.

At 69, Prevost becomes the first American-born pontiff. Yet, his story weaves far beyond Chicago, the city of his birth. With deep roots in Latin America and a ministry shaped by decades in Peru, many see him as equally a son of that continent especially among those who remember him for his tireless work with marginalized communities in Trujillo.

How Robert Prevos started outRobert Prevost was born in 1955 in Chicago to parents of Franco-Italian and Spanish descent. His early years were steeped in Catholic tradition, serving as an altar boy and later answering the call to priesthood in 1982. 

But it was his decision in 1985 to serve as a missionary in Peru that transformed him into the kind of shepherd who now leads the Church.

Prevost’s pastoral work in Trujillo included a decade as a local parish priest and seminary teacher. He was beloved for his down-to-earth approach, his closeness to the poor, and his efforts to build bridges between divided communities. 

Though he returned to the U.S. periodically, Peru became a second home, and a second nationality. His Peruvian citizenship is a testament to the deep connection he forged with the people there.

How he rose through the ranksHis work did not go unnoticed. In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru. Just a few years later, he became Archbishop and, in 2023, was elevated to cardinal. 

But perhaps most significantly, he was chosen to lead the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican office that oversees the appointment and supervision of bishops across Latin America. 

That role gave him influence and visibility within the global Church, and many cardinals came to know him well through it.

A Legacy Name: Leo XIVIn choosing the papal name Leo XIV, Prevost appears to nod to two towering legacies. Pope Leo I, remembered for persuading Attila the Hun not to sack Rome, symbolized courage and diplomacy. 

Pope Leo XIII, a bold voice during the social upheaval of the 19th century, championed workers’ rights and the Church’s role in shaping society. That history signals where Prevost may take the Church: toward deeper engagement with social justice and global inequality.

Where he standsMuch attention now turns to how Leo XIV will lead, and whether he will continue Pope Francis’ push for reform. Early signs suggest continuity. Prevost has echoed Francis’ emphasis on care for the poor, concern for migrants, and urgency around climate change. 

He once remarked that humanity must move “from words to action” in addressing the environmental crisis, even pointing to practical efforts like the Vatican’s solar panels and shift to electric vehicles.

On gender and leadership, Leo XIV has also shown progressiveness. He backed Francis’ move to include women in the Dicastery for Bishops, a landmark decision. In 2024, he said their presence “contributes significantly” to the selection of future Church leaders.

Still, some areas remain murky. His views on LGBTQ+ inclusion are less defined, though he has supported the idea of blessings for same-sex couples, while urging sensitivity to cultural and regional differences. 

For now, many in the Church are watching to see whether he will walk in Francis’ reformist footsteps or carve a new path.

A Pope for a Changing ChurchIn his first address from the Vatican balcony, Leo XIV struck a tone of humility and continuity. He paid tribute to Pope Francis, whose “weak but courageous voice” he said still echoed in their ears. 

“United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together,” he told the roaring crowd.

Robert Prevost’s journey from a parish altar boy in Chicago to a beloved missionary in Peru, and now the leader of 1.3 billion Catholics embodies the global face of the modern Church. 

Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy with the weight of tradition behind him and the hopes of a rapidly changing world ahead.