Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. He was elected pope in the conclave on May 8, 2025. He was elected following the death of Pope Francis. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Francis Prevost was ordained as a priest for the Order of Saint Augustine. He served in Peru as a parish pastor, seminary teacher, and administrator. He was prior general of the Augustinians, later becoming bishop of Chiclayo. Pope Francis appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and made him a cardinal, raising his profile as a papal contender.
Leo is the first pope from North America and the first with Peruvian citizenship. He is the first from the Order of Saint Augustine and has African heritage. Raised in Dolton, Illinois, he studied at Villanova University and earned advanced degrees in theology and canon law in Rome. He taught and led in various church roles, including in Chicago and Peru, and was involved in human rights advocacy during political unrest in Peru.
He was elected prior provincial and prior general, overseeing the order globally. As bishop of Chiclayo, he supported victims of political violence and migration, opposed extremist politics, and stood for environmental causes. As prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, he helped shape episcopal leadership worldwide.
Seen as a moderate and an ally of Pope Francis, Leo was elected in the conclave and took his name in honor of Pope Leo XIII. His election marked multiple firsts, including being the first American and Peruvian pope. In his first appearance, he emphasized continuity, environmental responsibility, and service to the world.
In May 2023, Prevost emphasized that episcopal leadership should prioritize faith over administration, insisting that the first task is to “communicate the beauty of the faith, the beauty and joy of knowing Jesus.” This spiritual focus was echoed in Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural message, which centered on the greeting of peace from the risen Jesus—“who gave his life for the flock of God”—and spoke of a “disarmed and disarming peace.” He pledged to continue Pope Francis’s blessing: “God cares for you, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail! We are all in God’s hands.”
Leo XIV’s early vision reflects a Church that is open, missionary, and rooted in dialogue, fidelity to the Gospel, and synodality. He speaks of a united Church that walks together in service of peace and justice, with a particular closeness to those who suffer. His call to build bridges so “we can all be one people always in peace” underscores a commitment to unity, echoing the spirit of ecumenism. Twice, he reminded the faithful not to be afraid, reinforcing a constant theme of Pope John Paul II. His devotion to Mary “who is close by” offers spiritual reassurance and a maternal image of God’s nearness. The motto he chose, In illo uno unum (“In the one Christ we are one”), encapsulates his desire for unity in faith, reflecting both continuity with his predecessors and a bold pastoral direction.
Pope Leo XIII, after whom Leo XIV named himself, served as pope from 1878 to 1903. He is best known for his encyclical Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Labor), issued in 1891, which laid the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching. In this document, he addressed the rights and duties of both workers and employers, supported the right to form labor unions, and advocated for fair wages, private property, and the role of the state in regulating labor conditions. Leo XIII sought to reconcile the Church with modern society and emphasized the compatibility of faith and reason. He also promoted Thomistic philosophy, especially the works of St. Thomas Aquinas, as a cornerstone of Catholic education and doctrine. His efforts helped reestablish the intellectual credibility of the Church during a time of rising secularism and industrial upheaval. Pope Leo XIII was respected both within and outside the Church for his diplomacy, scholarship, and vision, and his legacy continues to shape Catholic thought and social justice teachings today. Leo XIV’s choice of name was seen as a tribute to this legacy of intellectual engagement, social concern, and renewal within the Church.
