He is the first pope from the United States, he was born in 1955 in Chicago. Support for the Augustinian religious began to grow just before the conclave.
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During the second day of the conclave, the cardinals elected American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope, whom Pope Francis had appointed a cardinal only two years earlier. He became the 267th head of the Catholic Church.
The new Pope Leo XIV is 69 years old. He is from the Augustinian order and held the post of prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
The American cardinal with Italian, French, and Spanish roots was close to Pope Francis, especially concerning the environment, migrants, and helping the poor.
Prevost is characterized by discretion but knows how to listen and handle issues. He is a polyglot who speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese and can read Latin and German, giving him a significant advantage in communication.
He has extensive experience with Latin America. He was a missionary in Peru and was the chief superior of the Augustinians for two terms.
In 1987 – 1988, he was in charge of the pastoral care of the vocations of the Augustinian order in the USA and the director of missions for the province in Chicago. He then returned to Peru, where he spent ten years. From 2001 to 2013, he was the superior of the Augustinian order.
The bishop is a shepherd, not a manager.
In January 2023, Francis appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, so he was responsible for selecting bishops worldwide.
In one of the few interviews he gave, he presented his view of the role of bishops. According to Prevost, the bishop should primarily be a shepherd, not a manager.
„We are often concerned about teaching doctrine, but we risk forgetting that our first duty is to convey the beauty and joy of knowing Jesus,“ said Cardinal Prevost for Vatican News.
As the American portal National Catholic Reporter writes, in Rome, Prevost has a reputation as a hardworking person who spends as much time looking for new bishops as solving problem cases. Such was the case of Bishop Joseph Strickland, who headed the Diocese of Tyler in Texas until his removal from office in 2023.
Pope Francis with Cardinal Prevost. Photo:
However, Prevost faced accusations that, as a bishop in Peru, he did not handle two cases of sexual abuse as he should have. Two priests were accused of abusing girls in the country in 2022. The transfer allegedly did not properly investigate the allegations and covered up the priests. However, the diocese claims that the Prevost followed all procedures and began an initial canonical investigation.
His supporters emphasize that documents indicate that Prevost not only paid attention to the victims but also did everything required by church law and followed all procedures.
However, in May 2025, there were allegations that the diocese paid three girls $150,000 to silence them.
Cardinal Prevost was a member of the seven Vatican decanates, indicating how much Pope Francis trusted the cardinal and valued his abilities.
Robert Prevost was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 1955. In 1977, he entered the novitiate of the Order of St. Augustine in the province of Nostra Signora del Buon Consiglio in Saint Louis. He took his vows on August 29, 1981. He studied at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he received a diploma in theology.
Even before the conclave, the NC Reporter portal pointed out that Robert Prevost’s strength is the combination of his pastoral experience from the peripheries with his orientation and ability to manage complex matters in the church. „What is a rare combination for those looking for a potential pope who shares Francis’ priorities with more emphasis on governance,“ wrote the American Catholic website.
The first words of Pope Leo XIV.
Peace be with you all!
Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the resurrected Christ, the Good Shepherd, who gave his life for God’s flock. I, too, wish that this greeting of peace will penetrate your heart, that it will reach your families, all people wherever they are, all nations and the whole earth. Peace be with you!
This is the risen Christ’s peace—unarmed and disarmed, humble and persistent. It comes from God, from God who loves us all unconditionally. The weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome, still sounds in our ears!
The Pope, who blessed Rome and the whole world on Easter Sunday. Let me continue with the same blessing: God loves us, loves you al,l and evil will not win! We are in God’s hands. Therefore, do not be afraid – hand in hand with God, and let us walk forward among ourselves. We are disciples of Christ. Christ is coming before us. The world needs its light. Humanity needs his presence as a bridge through which God and his love come to him. Help us too – and let’s help each other – build bridges through dialogue and meeting to be one people of peace. Thanks to Pope Francis!
I also want to thank all my fellow cardinals who chose me to become Peter’s successor and to walk with you as one church, which always seeks peace and justice, and who strives to work as men and women faithful to Jesus Christ, without fear to proclaim the gospel and be missionaries.
I am the son of St. Augustine, an Augustinian who said: „ I am a Christian with you, I am a bishop for you.“ In this spirit, we can all walk together to the homeland that God has prepared for us.
I especially greet the Roman Church! Together, we must look for ways to be a missionary church that builds bridges and conducts dialogue, always ready to accept, as this square with open arms, all who need our love, our presence, dialogue, and understanding.
(In Spanish)
And if you allow me, one word – greetings to everyone, and especially to my dear diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where the faithful people accompanied their bishop, experienced faith with him, and gave a lot, really a lot, to remain the faithful church of Jesus Christ.
To all of you, brothers and sisters from Rome, Italy, and all over the world: We want to be a synodal church, a church on a journey that is constantly looking for peace and love and strives to be close, especially to those who suffer.
