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His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

A Life of Service, Faith, and Pastoral Leadership

Pope Leo XIV

Born

September 14, 1955

Birthplace

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Papacy Began

May 8, 2025

Robert Francis Prevost

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, is the first Pope to have been born in the United States. He is also the first to hold U.S. or Peruvian citizenship, the first from the Order of Saint Augustine, and the second from the Americas.

Papal Motto

"In illo Uno unum" — In the One, [we are] one

Chosen to reflect unity in Christ and the universal communion of the Church.

Early Life & Formation

Raised in Dolton, Illinois, in the parish of St. Mary of the Assumption, Pope Leo XIV grew up in a deeply faithful Catholic family. His parents, Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Agnes Prevost, were devout Catholics whose daily rosary prayer and strong faith profoundly influenced young Robert's spiritual formation.

From 1969 to 1973, he attended St. Augustine Seminary High School near Saugatuck, Michigan, where he excelled academically and demonstrated leadership qualities. He joined the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977 and was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982.

Religious Life & Service

Pope Leo XIV earned a Doctor of Canon Law (JCD) degree in 1987 from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. His service has been marked by extensive missionary work in Peru during the 1980s and 1990s, where he served as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher, and administrator.

As Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine from 2001 to 2013, he was based in Rome and traveled extensively throughout the order's provinces and missions worldwide. He later served as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2015 to 2023, and was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in 2023.

Pastoral Priorities

As Cardinal and now as Pope, Pope Leo XIV has consistently emphasized synodality, missionary dialogue, and engagement with social and technological challenges. His pastoral priorities include:

  • ✓Synodality: Walking together as the Church, fostering dialogue and shared responsibility.
  • ✓Evangelization: Renewed commitment to missionary outreach and spiritual renewal.
  • ✓Social Justice: Addressing climate change, migration, and human rights.
  • ✓Church Governance: Implementing reforms aligned with Vatican II teachings.

The Papal Name: Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV chose his papal name in honor of Pope Leo XIII, who developed modern Catholic social teaching during the Second Industrial Revolution. By selecting this name, the Holy Father signals his desire to address contemporary challenges of artificial intelligence and the new industrial revolution with the same wisdom and pastoral sensitivity that characterized Leo XIII's pontificate.

Learn About the African Journey

Vision & Mission

A Church That Walks Together

Pope Leo XIV envisions a Church characterized by synodality—where all members, clergy and laity alike, walk together in dialogue, discernment, and shared responsibility. This vision reflects the teachings of Vatican II and emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the Church's mission.

Missionary Engagement

With a deep commitment to evangelization and missionary dialogue, the Holy Father seeks to bring the Gospel message to all peoples, particularly those on the margins of society. His pastoral visits, including this journey to Africa, embody this missionary spirit.

Faith & Technology

Recognizing the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and technological advancement, Pope Leo XIV calls the Church to engage thoughtfully with these forces, ensuring that technology serves human dignity and the common good.

Peace & Reconciliation

Central to the Holy Father's message is a call for peace, reconciliation, and disarmament. He advocates for dialogue between nations and religions, seeking to heal divisions and build bridges of understanding in our fractured world.

A Spiritual Reflection

"My dear brothers and sisters, as we journey together in faith, let us remember that we are not alone. The Holy Spirit guides us, strengthens us, and calls us to be witnesses of Christ's love in our world. Through prayer, sacramental life, and mutual support, we grow in holiness and become instruments of God's peace."

— Pope Leo XIV

We encourage all the faithful to deepen their spiritual life through regular participation in the Holy Mass, the Sacrament of Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and prayer of the Holy Rosary. For more resources and guidance, visit EWTN Vatican.