American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost
POPE LEO XIV
The Vatican announced the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church, shortly after white smoke began pouring from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was born September 14, 1955 (age 69) in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., the son of a French/Italian father Louis Marius Prevost and mother Mildred Martinez of Spanish descent.
Ordained as a priest for the Order of Saint Augustine in 1982.
Spent many years as a missionary in Peru before being elected head of the Augustinians for two consecutive terms.
Created Cardinal by Pope Francis on September 30, 2023.
Education
- Villanova University (Villanova, PA)
- Catholic Theological Union (Chicago, IL)
- Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Rome, Italy)
Besides his native language English, Prevost can speak Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, and can read Latin and German.
Previous post(s)
- Prior General of the Augustinians (2001–2013)
- Titular Bishop of Sufar (2014–2015)
- Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo (2014–2015) (Peru)
- Bishop of Chiclayo (2015–2023) (Peru)
- President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America
- Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Monica (2023–2025)
- Cardinal-Bishop of Albano (2025)