US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been chosen as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church.
Senior cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced the new pope to cheering crowds on St Peter’s balcony, saying the famous Latin words: “Habemus Papam”, meaning “we have a pope”.
Speaking in Italian, the 69-year-old said late Pope Francis was always “courageous and blessed Rome”.
Here are five key facts about the new pope:
EARLY LIFE
Robert Prevost was born in Chicago on 14 September, 1955, the son of Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martinez. His father, who was a United States Navy veteran of World War II and school administrator, was of French and Italian descent, and his mother of Spanish descent. He completed his secondary studies at the minor seminary of the Order of St. Augustine in 1973. Prevost earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at Villanova University in 1977.
Deciding to become a priest, Prevost joined the Order of St. Augustine in September 1977. He took his first vows to the order in September 1978 and his solemn vows in August 1981. The following year, he was awarded a Master of Divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
PERSONAL LIFE
Prevost speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, and can read Latin and German.
PRIESTHOOD
Prevost was ordained a priest by Archbishop Jean Jadot for the Augustinians in Rome on 19 June 1982. He earned a Licentiate of Canon Law in 1984 and a Doctor of Canon Law degree in 1987 from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985 and served as chancellor of the Territorial Prélature of Chulucanas from 1985 to 1986. He returned to Peru in 1988, spending the next ten years heading the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo. He also taught canon law in the diocesan seminary and served as prefect of studies. Prevost served as judge of the regional ecclesiastical court and a member of the College of Consultors of Trujillo. He also led a congregation on the outskirts of the city.
CRITICISM
Prevost has faced criticism from advocates for clergy abuse survivors regarding his handling of sexual abuse allegations during his leadership in the Augustinian order and in Peru. The advocacy group SNAP accused Prevost of failing to act against abuse claims involving Richard McGrath, a former president of Providence Catholic High School, allowing him to remain in his position despite longstanding accusations
CONTENDER FOR THE PAPACY
Prevost was considered a possible candidate for the papacy after the death of Pope Francis. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a key position within the Roman Curia. The office is responsible for evaluating and recommending candidates for the episcopate around the world. This role increased Prevost’s visibility and influence within the Catholic Church, potentially raising his profile ahead of any future papal conclave.
On May 8, 2025, the second day of the 2025 papal conclave, Prevost became the first North American elected pope.
He took the name Leo XIV.
(Daily Trust)
