VATICAN CITY, Italy – Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., has been appointed as the 267th Successor of Peter, taking on the papal name Pope Leo XIV following his elevation to the papacy.
The announcement was made after his extensive service within the Catholic Church, including his role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and his previous tenure as Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo, Peru.
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost’s journey to the papacy is one marked by a deep commitment to both faith and service to the Church.
Prevost’s religious path began in 1977 when he entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.), where he took his solemn vows in 1981.
He quickly advanced academically, studying at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago and later at the Pontifical Saint Thomas Aquinas University (Angelicum) in Rome.
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After his ordination in 1982, he earned a licentiate in canon law and dedicated himself to serving in the Augustinian missions in Peru, where his leadership and commitment were recognized.
Throughout his career, Prevost served in a variety of roles across Latin America, including positions as director of vocations, provincial prior, and even judicial vicar in Trujillo, Peru.
His work in the Church extended to educational and administrative duties, and he served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2020, where he was instrumental in advancing the Church’s mission in Peru.
In 2020, Pope Francis appointed him as the apostolic administrator of the diocese of Callao and later promoted him to Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023.
His significant contributions to the Church’s governance and leadership also included being named a member of the Congregation for the Clergy and the Congregation for Bishops.
Cardinal Prevost was created a cardinal by Pope Francis in the Consistory of September 2023, assigned to the Deaconry of Santa Monica.
As a member of several important Vatican Dicasteries, including Evangelization, the Doctrine of the Faith, and the Eastern Churches, his influence continues to be felt globally.
His role also involves oversight of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, which further underscores his impact on global Church leadership.
Pope Leo XIV’s election represents a new chapter in the leadership of the Catholic Church, marking a pivotal moment in its ongoing mission to serve its global community.
