Pope Leo XIV

POPE LEO XIV – THE FIRST POPE FROM THE U.S.

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, became the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church following his election on May 8, 2025. He is the first Augustinian and the second Pope from the Americas, after Pope Francis. Prior to his election, he served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Statement from Bishop Douglas J. Lucia on the Election of Pope Leo XIV

Early Life & Formation

• Born in Chicago, Illinois on September 14, 1955 to Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martinez
• Earned a degree in Mathematics and studied Philosophy at Villanova University (1977).
• Entered the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977; made solemn vows in 1981.
• Ordained a priest on June 19, 1982 in Rome.
• Earned a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). 

Missionary & Pastoral Work

• Served over a decade in Trujillo, Peru
• Elected Provincial Prior (1999) and then Prior General of the Augustinians for two terms (2001-2013).

Episcopal Ministry

• Appointed Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo, Peru in 2014.
• Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2015 – 2023).
• Served in the Peruvian Episcopal Conference in leadership and advisory roles.

Service in the Universal Church

• Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023.
• Created Cardinal in September 2024 by Pope Francis; assigned the Diaconate of Saint Monica.
• Promoted to the Order of the Bishops with the title of Sububicarian Church of Albano in February 2025.

Motto

• “In Illo uno unum” – “In the One Christ, we are one.” – St. Augustine

Source: Thank you to the Syracuse Diocese for this Bio Sheet.