Habemus Papam! Robert Francis Prevost is Leo XIV.

Prevost was born in Chicago in 1955. After studying maths, he joined the Augustinian order, was ordained a priest in Rome in 1982 and gained a doctorate in canon law. In the years that followed, he worked as a missionary in Peru, where he was active as a trainer, judicial vicar and parish chaplain, among other things. He has also held Peruvian citizenship since 2015.

In 1998, he became Provincial of the Augustinians in Chicago, then Prior General of the worldwide order based in Rome in 2001. After returning to the USA, he again took on leadership roles until Pope Francis appointed him bishop in Peru in 2014. There he was involved in the Bishops' Conference and Caritas Peru. In 2020, he became a member of the Roman Congregation of Bishops, was appointed Cardinal in 2023 and shortly afterwards Cardinal Bishop.

Prevost speaks several languages fluently, including Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese, and has a basic knowledge of German. In Vienna, he celebrated the 675th anniversary of the consecration of St Augustine's Church in November 2024. His episcopal motto comes from St Augustine: ‘nos multi in illo uno unum’ - ‘In this one [Christ] we many are one.’

As Pope, he is seen as an advocate of a church with more co-determination. The ‘ecclesial general assembly’ planned by Francis in 2028 is also likely to be pushed forward under Leo XIV.

Source: Kathpress