Robert Francis Prevost, born September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, is the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the papal name Leo XIV
. He is the first American-born pope and also holds Peruvian citizenship, reflecting his extensive missionary work in Peru where he served as a parish pastor, seminary educator, and later as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023
. Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977 and was ordained a priest in 1982. He has a strong academic background including a degree in mathematics from Villanova University, theological studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome
. His doctoral thesis focused on the role of the local prior in the Augustinian Order
. He served as prior general of the Augustinian Order from 2001 to 2013 and was appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America by Pope Francis in 2023, positions that gave him significant influence over the global selection and governance of bishops
. Prevost is known for his moderate and pastoral approach, aligning with many of Pope Francis's priorities such as support for migrants and marginalized communities, although he holds conservative views on some doctrinal matters like the ordination of women as deacons
. As Pope Leo XIV, he has expressed admiration for Pope Francis and called for unity and progress in his inaugural address. His papal name honors Pope Leo XIII, known for modern Catholic social teaching, and Prevost is attentive to contemporary challenges including those posed by technological advances like artificial intelligence
. In summary, Robert Francis Prevost is an American-born Augustinian friar and bishop, with deep missionary roots in Latin America, who became pope in 2025 as Leo XIV, marking a historic first for the United States in the papacy
