Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, is the first pope from the United States and the first North American pope in history
. He is also a naturalized citizen of Peru, where he spent many years as a missionary, parish priest, teacher, and bishop
. He is a member of the Augustinian order and notably the first Augustinian pope
. Prevost studied mathematics at Villanova University and philosophy before entering the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977. He was ordained a priest in 1982 after studying theology in Chicago and canon law in Rome. He served extensively in Peru, including running an Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and serving as a bishop in Chiclayo
. Before his election as pope on May 8, 2025, he led the Vatican's Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing the appointment of bishops worldwide
. His leadership style is described as centrist with progressive tendencies on social issues, such as support for migrants and the poor, while maintaining conservative views on church doctrine, for example, opposing the ordination of women as deacons
. At 69 years old, Pope Leo XIV is slightly younger than recent popes at the start of their papacies, suggesting he may serve for many years
. His election marks a historic moment for the Catholic Church, which has over 1.4 billion members globally
. He has emphasized themes of peace, charity, and accompaniment in his inaugural remarks and aims to address challenges facing the Church, particularly in the United States
. In summary, Pope Leo XIV is a Chicago-born, Augustinian missionary and bishop with deep ties to Peru, a former Vatican official responsible for bishops' appointments, and the first American pope, known for a balanced approach combining pastoral care with doctrinal conservatism
