Who is Pope Leo XIV? Chicago native Robert Prevost makes history as new pope

CHICAGO - In a historic decision, the Catholic Church elected Cardinal Robert Prevost—born in Chicago—as its next pope on Thursday. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American-born pontiff and one of the few modern popes with deep pastoral experience in both North and South America.

The news came just over an hour after white smoke finally billowed from the Sistine Chapel late Thursday afternoon, signaling to the world that the papal conclave had chosen a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month.

The papal conclave began Wednesday afternoon and lasted 25 hours, 37 minutes, and 58 seconds, according to a count by LiveNOW from FOX.

It was not immediately clear if the election was after four ballots or five ballots, but either way, it would be in line with recent history. Pope Benedict XVI was elected in 2005 after four ballots in two days while Pope Francis was elected after five ballots in two days in 2013.

Pope Leo's brother speaks out 

John Prevost, brother of Pope Leo XIV, spoke with FOX 32 on Thursday evening, sharing his pride and reflecting on his brother’s historic election.

"There are no words. It's overwhelming pride, but it's also overwhelming responsibility being the first American pope, from Chicago, and a relative," he said. 

The past of Pope Leo

The backstory:

Prevost was born on Sept. 14, 1955, in Chicago. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1977 before taking his solemn vows and studying theology at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago in 1982.

By 1985 he joined the Augustinian mission in Peru, where he served as chancellor of the Territorial Prélature of Chulucanas for one year.

Between 1987 and 1988, he returned to the U.S., where he served as pastor for vocations and director of missions for the Augustinian Province of Chicago, before he returned to Peru for another 10 years to head the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and teach Cannon Law. 

Eventually, he made his way back to his hometown, where, in 1999, he was elected provincial prior of the "Mother of Good Counsel" in Chicago.

Prevost, 69, was twice elected prior general, or top leader, of the Augustinians, the 13th century religious order founded by St. Augustine. Francis clearly had an eye on him for years, moving him from the Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014 to serve as the administrator and later archbishop of Chiclayo.

He remained in that position, acquiring Peruvian citizenship in 2015, until Francis brought him to Rome in 2023 to assume the presidency of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. In that job he would have kept in regular contact with the Catholic hierarchy in the part of the world that counts the most Catholics.

Pope Francis brought Robert Prevost to the Vatican in 2023 as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. On Thursday, he ascended to become Pope Leo XIV — the first American pontiff.

What they're saying:

The bells of the cathedral in Peru’s capital of Lima and at Holy Name Cathedral in downtown Chicago tolled after Prevost’s election was announced. People outside the Lima cathedral said they wanted Prevost to visit.

"For us Peruvians, it is a source of pride that this is a pope who represents our country," said elementary school teacher Isabel Panez, who happened to be near the cathedral when the news was announced. "We would like him to visit us here in Peru."

The Rev. Fidel Purisaca Vigil, the communications director for Prevost’s old diocese in Chiclayo, remembers the cardinal rising each day and having breakfast with his fellow priests after saying his prayers.

"No matter how many problems he has, he maintains good humor and joy," Purisaca said in an email.

President Donald Trump celebrated the first American pope on his Truth Social social media platform.

"Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!"

Big picture view:

Prevost was a suspected front-runner to succeed Pope Francis after his passing late last month, though some reporting suggested his being an American could actually count against him due to concerns that the U.S. could further exert its geopolitical prowess through the religious leader.

Leo XIV was first brought to the Vatican by Francis to serve as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023, which is one of the most important positions in the Catholic Church as it vets bishop nominations issued globally.

Francis then elevated him to the position of Cardinal in September 2023.

Leo was reported to be closely aligned to Francis's teachings as leader of the Catholic Church, particularly when it came to his positions regarding the environment, outreach to the poor and migrants, and opening the Catholic Church to embrace more followers.

Before making it to the highest position afforded in the Catholic Church, he first entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine in Saint Louis, in 1977, which essentially marked his period of training before he took his "holy orders."

Dig deeper:

For more information on Pope Leo XIV, visit the following articles:

• Who is Cardinal Robert Prevost? Leo XIV is first American pope
• Robert Prevost elected as new pope, will take the name Leo XIV

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