In brief
Robert Francis Prevost, an American-born cardinal, was elected Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, following a remarkable journey through the ranks of the Roman Catholic Church. Born in Chicago, his educational and ecclesiastical journey reflects a commitment to faith and service, ultimately leading to his papal election.
American cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, was elected to lead the Roman Catholic Church on May 8, 2025, defying expectations of lengthy odds for the papacy. His life’s chronology reveals a steadfast dedication to his faith. Born in Chicago in 1955, Prevost pursued a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Villanova University in 1977 before joining the Order of Saint Augustine in Saint Louis. By 1981, he made his solemn vows, and in 1982, he graduated with a Master in Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, leading to his ordination as a priest. His early missionary work began in 1985 in Chulucanas, Peru, followed by further assignments in Trujillo, Peru, after obtaining a doctoral degree from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome in 1987. Prevost’s leadership within the Church continued to grow when he was elected provincial prior of the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Chicago in 1999. His ministry expanded in 2015 when he became the bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. His impressive trajectory saw him elevated to archbishop by Pope Francis in 2023, leading the Vatican office that selects and manages bishops globally. This paved the way for Cardinal Prevost's historic election as the 267th pope, adopting the name Leo XIV. Eve Sampson, covering international news and a member of the 2024-25 Times Fellowship class, contributed to this report.
