Robert Francis Prevost ( Pope Leo XIV ) Biography: Personal Life and Early Background
Robert Francis Prevost, later elected Pope Leo XIV, was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. He is the son of Louis Marius Prevost, a World War II Navy veteran and school administrator of French and Italian heritage, and Mildred MartÃnez, a librarian of Spanish descent. He grew up with two brothers and was actively involved in his local parish as an altar server at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Chicago’s South Side.
Robert Francis Prevost ( Pope Leo XIV ) Biography: Education
After completing his early education at the minor seminary of the Order of St. Augustine in 1973, he pursued a degree in mathematics at Villanova University, earning a Bachelor of Science in 1977. A gifted linguist, Prevost is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, and is also proficient in Latin and German.
Missionary Work and Rise Within the Church
Prevost began his religious journey with the Augustinians and later dedicated significant portions of his life to missionary and pastoral service. He spent several years in Peru—first from 1985 to 1986 and then from 1988 to 1998—where he served in multiple roles, including parish priest, diocesan official, and seminary educator.
His leadership within the Augustinian Order grew steadily, and in 2001 he was elected as the Prior General, serving until 2013. In 2015, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, where he led the diocese until 2023.
Cardinalate and Key Vatican Roles
Prevost’s prominence within the global Church increased significantly when Pope Francis named him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023. This influential position within the Roman Curia oversees the selection of bishops worldwide. That same year, he became president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and was also elevated to cardinal-deacon of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani.
In February 2025, his standing rose further when he was appointed a cardinal-bishop and given the Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano, one of the most senior roles in the College of Cardinals.
Election as Pope Leo XIV
On May 8, 2025, following the death or resignation of Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals elected Prevost as the new pope on the second day of the conclave. He took the name Leo XIV, becoming the first pontiff from North America and the first Augustinian pope since the 15th century. His election was publicly announced by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where Pope Leo XIV soon appeared to address the faithful.
Doctrinal Views and Public Positions
On Gender and Education
While serving in Peru, Prevost expressed concern over the inclusion of gender theory in school curricula, arguing that it introduced confusion and promoted identities not grounded in Catholic teaching.
On Homosexuality and Family
Prevost has maintained a traditional view on issues of sexuality, cautioning against cultural trends that normalize same-sex relationships and non-traditional family structures, which he believes are inconsistent with Gospel teachings.
On Women’s Ordination
He has consistently opposed the ordination of women to the diaconate, aligning with longstanding Church doctrine.
On Refugees
Despite his conservative theological positions, Pope Leo XIV has shown compassion for refugees, advocating for their protection and support in alignment with Catholic social teaching.
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from Wikipedia. All details cannot be independently verified by Daily News 24 or its editorial team.
