Pope Leo XIV: The first American pope is elected

The former Cardinal Robert F. Prevost was born in Chicago

By William Van de Planque | On Mission

ALLOUEZ — Cardinal Robert F. Prevost was elected pope on May 8, 2025, and chose the name Pope Leo XIV.

From CNA/Francesca Pollio Fenton, May 9, 2025:

Here are 14 things to know about Pope Leo XIV:

1. Robert Francis Prevost was born on Sept. 14, 1955, in Chicago to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent. He has two brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph. 
2. His father was a World War II Navy veteran and school superintendent. His mother was a librarian who was very involved in parish life.
3. The new pope speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese.
4. He earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania in 1977 before pursuing his religious vocation.
5. He completed his secondary studies at the minor seminary of the Augustinians in 1973 in Michigan. In 1977, he became a member of the Order of St. Augustine and took his solemn vows in 1981. 
6. He completed a master of divinity degree at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and earned a licentiate and doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He went on to teach canon law in seminaries during his time in Peru.  
7. He was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982, by Archbishop Jean Jadot in Rome.
8. He served extensively in Peru from 1985 to 1998, working as a parish pastor, seminary teacher and diocesan official. He was also part of the leadership of Caritas Peru, the church’s charitable organization.
9. After being elected the head of the Augustinian Province of Chicago, he returned to the United States in 1999. He was elected prior general of the Augustinians in 2001 and then reelected in 2007, serving as head of the order until 2013.
10. Pope Francis appointed him apostolic administrator and then bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and received episcopal consecration on Dec. 12, 2014, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Chiclayo.
11. He was made a cardinal by Pope Francis on Sept. 30, 2023. 
12. While serving the church in Peru, Pope Francis made him a member of the Dicastery for the Clergy in 2019 and then a member of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2020. In 2023, Pope Francis made him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. 
13. His episcopal motto — which is a bishop’s personal motto — is “In illo uno unum,” which means, “In the one Christ we are one,” reflecting his commitment to unity.
14. Prior to becoming pope, he had an active X account — the first to have his own social media account before becoming pope.

CNA, or Catholic News Agency, is a global news service owned by EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network). 

Bishop David Ricken, along with members of the local media and staff members of the Diocese of Green Bay, watched a livestream at the diocesan offices in Allouez as the announcement was made by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti in Latin: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam (“I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope!”).

After appearing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV’s first words to the world, spoken in Italian, were: “Peace be with all of you.”

Bishop Ricken invited all those gathered at the diocesan offices to kneel during Pope Leo XIV’s blessing to the crowds in St. Peter’s Square and to the world watching. The pope ended his first prayer over the church with the “Hail Mary,” which he invited all to pray with him.

At the press conference on Easter Monday, April 21, regarding the death of Pope Francis that day, a reporter had asked Bishop Ricken if it was time for an American pope.

“That’s up to the Holy Spirit,” he said in response. “I have no idea. That’s above my pay grade.”

During the press conference held after the livestream of the historic announcement on May 8, Bishop Ricken expressed his surprise at the news.

“He’s an American. Isn’t that amazing?” he said during his opening comments. “I never thought that would ever happen in my lifetime, but God is full of surprises.”

“He’s also got a real pastor’s heart,” Bishop Ricken said. “I’ve heard that for quite a few years now that he really loves God’s people… It’s going to be an adventure for all of us to come to discover his pastoral leadership as the supreme pontiff, which means the major bridge builder of all the world — at least that’s what we strive for and that’s what we pray for.”

Bishop Ricken also reminded viewers of the Jubilee Year declared by Pope Francis.

“To me, this is the Jubilee Year of Hope,” he said. “This gives me hope, too.”

Fr. John Girotti, the vicar general and moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Green Bay, who is also a canonist, was asked by Bishop Ricken to say a few words to the local media.

“As Bishop mentioned, our new Holy Father is a canonist or a canon lawyer,” Fr. Girotti said. “The canon law is the legal system of the Catholic Church. It’s what holds us all together –- 1.4 billion people following the way of the Lord Jesus.”

When asked by a reporter about the importance of having an American pope, Bishop Ricken said, “I think it’s an affirmation that the church in the United States is strong.”

“He was raised like one of us, and he understands the church and our approach here in the United States,” Bishop Ricken said.

Local parishes began to recognize the announcement of the new pope as early as the afternoon of the announcement.

In Allouez, staff at St. Matthew Parish added a slide to the electronic sign in front of the church that announced, “Welcome Pope Leo XIV.”