Pope Leo XIV (born Robert Francis Prevost, September 14, 1955) is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. He was elected pope in the 2025 conclave on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost was ordained as a priest for the Order of Saint Augustine in 1982. His service included extensive work in Peru from 1985 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1998, where he variously served as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher, and administrator. Elected prior general of the Order of Saint Augustine from 2001 to 2013, he later returned to Peru as Bishop of Chiclayo (2015–2023). In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and made him a cardinal in Peru the same year. These roles elevated his prominence as a papal candidate.
An American and Peruvian dual citizen, Leo is the first pope from the United States or from Peru. He is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine, and the seventh from orders following the Rule of Saint Augustine.[c]
In line with his episcopal motto, In illo uno unum (Latin for 'In the one [Christ] we are one'), Leo emphasized unity in his opening papal message and also showed continuity with key thrusts of Pope Francis's pontificate, such as the centrality of the kerygma of Jesus Christ, the missionary role of the faithful and working together in synodality for peace, justice and charity, and gave priority to peace and bridge building.