Habemus Papam! “We have a pope!”
With these words today, May 8, 2025, following the famous sign of white smoke from the roof of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, the Catholic Church announced the election of its 267th pope. The newest successor of St. Peter, bishop of Rome, vicar of Christ, and leader of over one billion Catholics, is the American cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. Following Catholic tradition, he has chosen a papal name: Leo XIV.
The new pope is a distinguished member of the Order of Saint Augustine and has long been a prominent figure in the Roman Catholic Church. His life and ministry reflect a deep commitment to the Church’s mission, rooted in Augustinian spirituality and a dedication to the pastoral care of the faithful.
The New Pope’s Early Life and Formation
Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago.
His academic journey began at Villanova University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1977. That same year, he entered the novitiate of the Augustinian Order in Saint Louis. After professing his solemn vows in 1981, he pursued theological studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, obtaining a Master of Divinity degree in 1982.
Prevost was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982. Furthering his education, he earned both a licentiate (1984) and a doctorate (1987) in canon law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) in Rome.
A Missionary and a Prior
In 1985, Prevost was assigned to the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Peru, marking the beginning of his extensive missionary work in that country. He served in various capacities in Trujillo, including community prior; director of formation; and professor of canon law, patristics, and moral theology at the diocesan seminary. His leadership extended to administrative roles, such as judicial vicar of the Archdiocese of Trujillo and director of the joint formation project for Augustinian aspirants in the Vicariates of Chulucanas, Iquitos, and Apurímac.
In 1999, he was elected provincial prior of the Augustinian Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Chicago. He later served two terms as prior general of the Augustinian Order, from 2001 to 2013.
Ordained a Bishop, Named a Leader
In November 2014, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, elevating him to the dignity of bishop and assigning him the titular diocese of Sufar (in modern-day Algeria). He took canonical possession of the diocese on November 7, 2014, and was ordained a bishop on December 12, 2014, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As bishop, he served the faithful of Chiclayo with dedication, focusing on pastoral care, evangelization, and the formation of clergy. In March 2018, he was elected second vice president of the Peruvian episcopal conference.
To the Roman Curia
Pope Francis appointed Prevost as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America on January 30, 2023. Prevost assumed these roles on April 12, 2023. In recognition of his service, he was created a cardinal in the consistory of September 30, 2023, receiving the deaconry of Santa Monica.
As prefect, he oversaw the nomination of bishops worldwide, charged with ensuring that candidates were well formed in doctrine, pastoral care, and fidelity to the Church’s teachings.
He was also a member of several other dicasteries, including those for Evangelization, the Doctrine of the Faith, Clergy, and Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. His multilingual abilities—fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, with reading knowledge of Latin and German—enhanced his effectiveness in these international roles and no doubt added to his suitability for the papacy.
The New Pope’s Spiritual Center
Cardinal Prevost viewed his elevation to the College of Cardinals as a call to deeper service to the Church. He said that being a cardinal is “a mission of love with Christ, our Savior,” emphasizing the responsibility to give his life in service to the Church. He also highlighted the significance of the red vestments of a cardinal, symbolizing the blood of martyrs, which underscores the gravity of his role. His approach to leadership is characterized by a commitment to synodality, seeking to walk together with the people of God in discerning the will of God.
Pray for Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo’s life has been a testament to faithful service in the Church, marked by a deep commitment to Augustinian spirituality, rigorous academic formation, and pastoral dedication. His work continues to inspire those who seek to serve the Church with humility and devotion, upholding the timeless truths of the Catholic faith.
Let us pray now for our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. May the Holy Spirit fill him with faith, hope, and charity. May he be provided the strength, wisdom, and good judgment he will need to teach the truth, govern with prudence, and promote the sanctification of the Church and the world.