Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is the current head of the Catholic Church. Here's a brief overview of his history:
Early Life
- Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Raised in the nearby suburb of Dolton
- Became a friar of the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977
- Ordained as a priest in 1982
Career
- Served as a missionary in Peru, working as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher, and administrator
- Elected prior general of the Order of Saint Augustine, based in Rome from 2001 to 2013
- Returned to Peru as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023
- Appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in 2023
- Made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023
Papacy
- Elected as Pope on May 8, 2025, on the second day of the papal conclave
- Took the papal name Leo XIV, in honor of Pope Leo XIII, who developed modern Catholic social teaching
- First Pope from the United States and the second from the Americas
- First Pope from the Order of Saint Augustine
Views and Policies
- Emphasizes synodality, missionary dialogue, and engagement with social and technological challenges
- Supports ecumenism with other Christian denominations
- Prioritizes care for the poor, the rejected, and the environment
- Advocates for prudence and responsibility in using social media
- Believes in the importance of beautiful liturgy to strengthen faith
Notable Actions
- Used a papal ferula made for Benedict XVI during his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel
- Restored the custom of the Pope giving archbishops the pallium during his Inauguration Mass
- Called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and expressed concern about the Russian invasion of Ukraine ¹
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