Early Life and Education
Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, USA, to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent. He grew up in a devout Catholic family and was drawn to religious life from an early age.
He pursued his undergraduate studies at Villanova University, an Augustinian institution near Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1977. During his time at Villanova, he also studied philosophy, Hebrew, and Latin, and was influenced by the writings of Saint Augustine and Karl Rahner.
He later obtained a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1982. During his studies, he taught physics and math at St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago.
Religious Life and Ordination
Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) and was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982. Following his ordination, he served as a missionary in Peru, where he spent many years ministering to local communities. His dedication and leadership qualities led to his election as the Prior General of the Augustinians, a position he held for two consecutive terms.
Episcopal Service
On July 16, 2022, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as the Titular Bishop of Tamada and Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal. He received his episcopal consecration on September 12, 2022. Subsequently, on February 11, 2023, he was appointed as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto and was installed on March 25, 2023, at St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica.
Elevation to the College of Cardinals
Pope Francis announced on October 6, 2024, that he would elevate Prevost to the College of Cardinals. He was created a cardinal on December 7, 2024, and was assigned the title of Cardinal Priest of Santa Maria della Salute a Primavalle.
Election as Pope
Following the death of Pope Francis, the papal conclave convened, and on May 8, 2025, Cardinal Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV. His choice of name pays homage to Pope Leo XIII, known for his work on social doctrine, particularly the encyclical Rerum Novarum. Pope Leo XIV's election marks him as the first Augustinian Pope and the second Pope from the Americas, after Pope Francis.
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Conclusion
Pope Leo XIV's journey from a devout Catholic upbringing in Chicago to the papacy reflects a life dedicated to service, education, and leadership within the Church. His background as an Augustinian, missionary work in Peru, and various leadership roles have equipped him with a unique perspective as he leads the global Catholic community.
Kenya
Pope Leo XIV has been a regular visitor to Kenya over the last 20 years. In his previous roles, he visited Kenya in 2011, 2024, and 2025. During his 2024 visit, he presided over the consecration and dedication of the chapel at the Augustinian International House of Theology in Nairobi. He emphasized the importance of unity and faith within the Catholic community.
Nigeria
Between 2001 and 2016, Pope Leo XIV visited Nigeria at least nine times. His visits were primarily focused on establishing and consolidating the Augustinian order’s presence in the country. He participated in various meetings and religious activities aimed at strengthening the Catholic faith in Nigeria.
Tanzania
Pope Leo XIV has visited Tanzania more than five times. Notably, in 2003, he undertook an approximately 468-mile road trip from Songea to Morogoro. During this journey, he received the perpetual vows of three nuns, demonstrating his commitment to supporting religious vocations in the region
By Vatican News/ Catholic Review