Pope Leo XIV#Personal life

{{Main|Family of Pope Leo XIV}}

Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955,{{cite web |last=Moral Antón |first=Alejandro |date=November 3, 2014 |title=Robert F. Prevost nombrado Administrador Apostólico en Chiclayo |trans-title=Robert F. Prevost appointed Apostolic Administrator in Chiclayo |url=http://augustinians.net/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=483&cntnt01returnid=49 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304191403/http://augustinians.net/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=483&cntnt01returnid=49 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=June 1, 2021 |website=augustinians.net |language=es}}{{cite web |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Biography of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/biography-of-robert-francis-prevost-pope-leo-xiv.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509044847/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/biography-of-robert-francis-prevost-pope-leo-xiv.html |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=vaticannews.va}} at Mercy Hospital in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, on the city's South Side.{{cite news |last=FitzPatrick |first=Lauren |date=May 3, 2025 |title=From Chicago's south suburbs to helping choose the next pope |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/05/03/robert-prevost-pope-Francis-conclave-catholic-church-dolton-saint-mary-assumption-parish |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508173008/https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/05/03/robert-prevost-pope-francis-conclave-catholic-church-dolton-saint-mary-assumption-parish |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times}}{{cite news |last1=Bosman |first1=Julie |last2=Smith |first2=Mitch |date=May 8, 2025 |title=He Grew Up in a Parish on Chicago's South Side. Now He's the Pope. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/us/pope-leo-xiv-chicago.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508204328/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/us/pope-leo-xiv-chicago.html |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 10, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite news |last1=Ward |first1=Joe |last2=Mercado |first2=Melody |last3=Hernandez |first3=Alex V. |last4=Filbin |first4=Patrick |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV Named First American Pope — And He's From Chicago |url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-named-first-american-pope-and-hes-from-chicago/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508184055/https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-named-first-american-pope-and-hes-from-chicago/ |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |newspaper=Block Club Chicago}} Prevost has two older brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph, and is of French,{{cite news |last=Colas|first=Soliane|date=May 9, 2025 |title=La grand-mère du nouveau pape Léon XIV était 'fille de pâtissiers' en Normandie |trans-title=The grandmother of the new Pope Leo XIV was the 'daughter of pastry chefs' in Normandy|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/societe/religions/pape-leon-xiv/la-grand-mere-du-nouveau-pape-leon-xiv-etait-fille-de-patissiers-en-normandie-20a25bc0-2ca8-11f0-a098-f31d02249152 |access-date=June 11, 2025 |newspaper=Ouest-France |language=fr}} Italian,{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/17/pope-leo-grandfather-sicily-immigrant | title=Pope Leo's grandfather was immigrant from Sicily, genealogists reveal | work=The Guardian | date=May 17, 2025 | last1=Vargas | first1=Ramon Antonio }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.com/c/ancestry-blog/entertainment-and-culture/pope-leo-xiv-sicilian-roots|title=Ancestry Discovers Pope Leo XIV’s Sicilian Roots|website=Ancestry}} Spanish, and Louisiana Creole{{cite news |last1=Thomas|first1=Elizabeth|last2=Valle|first2=Alondra|last3=Chang|first3=Emily |title = Pope Leo XIV's family tree shows Black roots in New Orleans|url = https://abcnews.go.com/US/pope-leo-xivs-family-tree-shows-black-roots/story?id=121644537 |date = May 10, 2025 |access-date=June 11, 2025|newspaper = abc news}} descent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/genealogists-trace-pope-leos-african-ancestry-to-new-orleans-and-haiti/3744882/|title=Genealogists trace Pope Leo's African ancestry to New Orleans and Haiti|website=nbcchicago.com|first=Christian|last=Farr|date=May 13, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2025/05/08/g-s1-65147/new-pope-leo-xiv-robert-prevost-views|title=Who is the new Pope Leo XIV and what is his background?|website=NPR.org|last1=Kim|first1=Juliana|last2=Archie|first2=Ayana |date=May 8, 2025 }} His mother, Mildred Agnes Prevost ({{née|Martínez}}),{{Cite magazine |last=Burack |first=Emily |date=May 8, 2025 |title=A Guide to Pope Leo XIV's Family |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a64716116/pope-leo-xiv-family-explained/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509092128/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a64716116/pope-leo-xiv-family-explained/ |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |magazine=Town & Country}}{{Cite news |last=Vergun |first=David |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV's Father Served in the Navy During World War II |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4180629/pope-leo-xivs-father-served-in-the-navy-during-world-war-ii/ |access-date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=United States Department of Defense |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510074335/https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4180629/pope-leo-xivs-father-served-in-the-navy-during-world-war-ii/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Andy |last2=Romine |first2=Taylor |last3=Rehbein |first3=Matthew |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV's unexpected New Orleans Creole background excites city's large Catholic community |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/09/us/pope-leo-creole-lineage-hnk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509101432/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/09/us/pope-leo-creole-lineage-hnk |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |publisher=CNN}} was born in Chicago into a mixed-race family from Louisiana.{{Cite news |last=Laurence |first=Jean-Christophe |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Léon XIV aurait de très « probables » origines québécoises |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/international/2025-05-14/leon-xiv-aurait-de-tres-probables-origines-quebecoises.php?sharing=true |access-date=May 17, 2025 |newspaper=La Presse |language=fr |archive-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515093011/https://www.lapresse.ca/international/2025-05-14/leon-xiv-aurait-de-tres-probables-origines-quebecoises.php?sharing=true |url-status=live }} She worked as an educator and librarian, including at Mendel Catholic High School.{{cite news |date=June 20, 1990 |title=Obituary for Mildred Prevost |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-obituary-for-mildred-pre/171971476/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508210650/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-obituary-for-mildred-pre/171971476/ |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |page=28 |via=newspapers.com}} His father, Louis Marius Prevost, was also a Chicago native, having grown up in Hyde Park.{{Cite web |last=Musik |first=Morley |date=May 16, 2025 |title=From Hyde Park to the papacy: Pope Leo's local roots |url=https://www.hpherald.com/evening_digest/from-hyde-park-to-the-papacy-pope-leo-s-local-roots/article_4203c68e-f5ad-4d13-9972-66d45a62f17b.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawKVlV1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFBTHdWY2FEVFVBanVjYVI1AR5HjTYkafIo0qFOF6yZ3sYv9OOZXjyU5r-r87gXFku0pQ4K49XS6NRnqWX5uQ_aem_vl60Hdg9BH1xtMCgXTS8oA |access-date=May 17, 2025 |newspaper=Hyde Park Herald |language=en}} Louis's parents were immigrants from Italy{{cite news |last1=Bosman |first1=Julie |title=A Century-Old Romance That Gave the Pope His Family Name |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/us/pope-leo-grandfather.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Hk8.tLNf.NnvwUXTO7EKz&smid=url-share |access-date=May 16, 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=May 16, 2025 |archive-date=May 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517002450/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/us/pope-leo-grandfather.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Hk8.tLNf.NnvwUXTO7EKz&smid=url-share |url-status=live }} and France. Louis Prevost was a United States Navy veteran of World War II who commanded an infantry landing craft in the Normandy landings and later participated in Operation Dragoon in southern France. Also an educator, he later became superintendent of Brookwood School District 167 in Glenwood, Illinois.{{cite news |date=November 10, 1997 |title=Obituary for Louis M. Prevost |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-obituary-for-louis-m-pr/171963827/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508202031/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-obituary-for-louis-m-pr/171963827/ |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |page=6 |via=newspapers.com |newspaper=Chicago Tribune}}{{cite news |last=de Senneville |first=Loup Besmond |date=January 30, 2023 |title=Démission du cardinal Ouellet : un évêque américain placé à la tête du dicastère pour les évêques |trans-title=Resignation of Cardinal Ouellet: an American bishop appointed to head the Dicastery for Bishops |url=https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Demission-cardinal-Ouellet-eveque-americain-place-tete-dicastere-eveques-2023-01-30-1201252968 |url-status=live|url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508201838/https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Demission-cardinal-Ouellet-eveque-americain-place-tete-dicastere-eveques-2023-01-30-1201252968 |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |newspaper=La Croix |language=fr}}

File:Pope Leo XIV childhood home.jpg|alt=A front view of a one-story, red brick, detached house|left]]

Known as "Rob" to his family and "Bob" to friends as an adult,{{cite news |last1=Griffin |first1=Jake |date=May 8, 2025 |title="It was a shocking moment": New pope's brother lives in New Lenox |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/20250508/news/it-was-a-shocking-moment-new-popes-brother-lives-in-new-lenox/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509071047/https://www.dailyherald.com/20250508/news/it-was-a-shocking-moment-new-popes-brother-lives-in-new-lenox/ |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |newspaper=Chicago Daily Herald |quote=He said, "What should my name be?" [Louis] recalled. We started rattling off names just to rattle off names. I told him it shouldn't be Leo because it will be "the thirteenth". But he must've done some research to see it's actually "the fourteenth".}}{{cite news |last1=Mervosh |first1=Sarah |last2=Maag |first2=Christopher |date=9 May 2025 |title=To the World, He's Pope Leo. To Friends, He's Just "Bob" |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/us/pope-leo-bob-villanova.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509103738/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/us/pope-leo-bob-villanova.html |archive-date=9 May 2025 |access-date=10 May 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}} Prevost was raised in Dolton, Illinois, a suburb bordering the far South Side. He grew up in the parish of St. Mary of the Assumption in nearby Riverdale, where he went to school, sang in the choir, and served as an altar boy.{{cite news |last1=Lourgos |first1=Angie Leventis |last2=Royal Pratt |first2=Gregory |last3=Stein |first3=Carolyn |last4=Stevens |first4=Olivia |last5=Gorner |first5=Jeremy |last6=Moilanen |first6=Samantha |last7=Salzman |first7=Neil |date=8 May 2025 |title=Robert Prevost was "the pride and joy of every priest and nun" at St. Mary's on Chicago's South Side |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/08/robert-prevost-chicago-pope-xiv/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508200248/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/08/robert-prevost-chicago-pope-xiv/ |archive-date=8 May 2025 |access-date=8 May 2025 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune}}{{efn|St. Mary's Church in Dolton was closed in 2011.{{Cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Adam |first2=Marissa |last2=Sulek |last3=Savini |first3=Dave |last4=Machi |first4=Sara |last5=Thompson |first5=Carol |date=8 May 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV grew up in Dolton, Illinois, studied and taught in Chicago area |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/pope-leo-xiv-born-in-chicago-grew-up-dolton-illinois/ |access-date=9 May 2025 |publisher=CBS News}}}} Prevost aspired to the priesthood from a young age, and would play-act the Mass at home with his brothers.{{cite web |date=9 May 2025 |title=Brothers, people who know Pope Leo XIV react to historic election |time=9:45, "Brother of Pope Leo XIV on their childhood" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rs8SclsfzU |publisher=CBS News |via=YouTube |access-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-date=May 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513171009/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rs8SclsfzU |url-status=live }}

From 1969 to 1973, Prevost attended St. Augustine Seminary High School, a minor seminary near Saugatuck, Michigan;{{cite news |last1=Van Gilder |first1=Rachel |last2=Sanchez |first2=Josh |date=May 8, 2025 |title=New pope attended Catholic high school in West Michigan |url=https://www.woodtv.com/news/allegan-county/new-pope-attended-catholic-school-in-west-michigan/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509061043/https://www.woodtv.com/news/allegan-county/new-pope-attended-catholic-school-in-west-michigan/ |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=WOOD-TV}}{{cite news |last1=Stechschulte |first1=Michael |title=A pope with Midwest roots: Pope Leo XIV attended high school in western Michigan |url=https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/a-pope-with-midwest-roots-pope-leo-xiv-attended-high-school-in-western-michigan |access-date=May 10, 2025 |work=Detroit Catholic |date=May 8, 2025 |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509161309/https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/a-pope-with-midwest-roots-pope-leo-xiv-attended-high-school-in-western-michigan |url-status=live }} his brother John recalled how, from the end of eighth grade on, and especially after joining the Order of Saint Augustine, until their later adulthood when leave allowed them to reconnect, Prevost was hardly at home or with their family.

At the Augustinian seminary, he earned a letter of commendation for academic excellence, consistently appeared on the honor roll, served as yearbook editor-in-chief, and was secretary of the student council and a member of the National Honor Society.{{cite news |date=October 7, 1972 |title=Robert Prevost is Commended |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-holland-evening-sentinel-robert-prev/171971875/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508202601/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-holland-evening-sentinel-robert-prev/171971875/ |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |newspaper=The Holland Sentinel |pages=5}}{{cite news |date=February 20, 1974 |title=St. Augustine Wins 1973 Yearbook Award |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-holland-evening-sentinel-st-augusti/171973007/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508202833/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-holland-evening-sentinel-st-augusti/171973007/ |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |newspaper=The Holland Sentinel |pages=17}} He captained the bowling team and headed the speech and debate team, competing in Congressional Debate.{{cite news | access-date = May 28, 2025 | url =https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/who-is-pope-leo-xiv-high-school-yearbook-robert-prevost/ | publisher = CBS News | title = Pope Leo XIV was natural leader in high school, says Robert Prevost's classmate from Massachusetts | date = May 9, 2025 | first = Lisa|last=Hughes}}{{Cite news |date=October 24, 1972 |title=Attends State Forensic Congress in Lansing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-holland-evening-sentinel-robert-pre/171978267/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509093655/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-holland-evening-sentinel-robert-pre/171978267/ |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |newspaper=The Holland Sentinel}} Well-liked and highly intelligent, Prevost had a reputation for helping other students as a tutor.{{cite web | url=https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/popes-michigan-high-school-classmate-says-he-was-smart-well-liked-and-tutor-school | title=Pope's Michigan high school classmate says he was smart, well-liked and 'tutor' of the school }} Out of several dozen who entered the school with him, Prevost was one of only 13 students in his class to graduate.{{cite news |last1=Horowitz |first1=Jason |last2=Bosman |first2=Julie |last3=Dias |first3=Elizabeth |last4=Graham |first4=Ruth |last5=Romero |first5=Simon |last6=Taj |first6=Mitra |date=May 17, 2025 |title=Long Drives and Short Homilies: How Father Bob Became Pope Leo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/17/world/europe/robert-prevost-pope-leo-xiv.html |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517101102/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/17/world/europe/robert-prevost-pope-leo-xiv.html |archive-date=May 17, 2025 |access-date=May 17, 2025 |work=The New York Times |quote=I'm an American, I can't be elected.}}

In 1973, Prevost was planning to attend Tolentine College, an Augustinian seminary in Olympia Fields, Illinois,{{cite news |last1=FitzPatrick |first1=Lauren |last2=Winfield |first2=Nicole |title=Cardinal Robert Prevost, born in Chicago, is the first pope from the United States |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/05/08/cardinal-robert-prevost-raised-in-dolton-is-the-first-american-pope |access-date=May 17, 2025 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=May 8, 2025 |archive-date=May 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516010539/https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/05/08/cardinal-robert-prevost-raised-in-dolton-is-the-first-american-pope |url-status=live }} but it closed that same year. He promptly enrolled in Villanova University, an Augustinian college located near Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in mathematics in 1977.{{cite news |last=Mervosh |first=Sarah |date=May 8, 2025 |title=The Pope Is a Graduate of Villanova, Where the Church Bells Won't Stop Ringing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/world/europe/villanova-pope-leo-xiv.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508233134/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/world/europe/villanova-pope-leo-xiv.html |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times}} At Villanova, he took elective courses in Hebrew and Latin (which was seen as unusual because he was not majoring in theology), read the writings of Saint Augustine, and discussed the work of Karl Rahner with other students. Prevost also worked as a cemetery groundskeeper at Saint Denis Roman Catholic Church in Havertown, Pennsylvania, while studying at Villanova.{{cite news |first=Shawnette |last=Wilson |title=Pope Leo XIV previously worked as groundskeeper at cemetery in Havertown |url=https://www.fox29.com/news/pope-leo-xiv-worked-groundskeeper-st-denis-parish-havertown |work=WTXF-TV |date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509043345/https://www.fox29.com/news/pope-leo-xiv-worked-groundskeeper-st-denis-parish-havertown |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |url-status=live}}

He returned to his father's native Hyde Park to obtain a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Catholic Theological Union in 1982 and taught physics and math at St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago's Wrightwood neighborhood during his studies.{{cite news |last1=Rich |first1=Motoko |last2=Dias |first2=Elizabeth |last3=Horowitz |first3=Jason |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV, the First American Pontiff, Took a Global Route to the Top Post |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/world/europe/pope-leo-xiv-robert-francis-prevost.html |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508234950/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/world/europe/pope-leo-xiv-robert-francis-prevost.html |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 10, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |url-status=live}} He earned a Licentiate of Canon Law (JCL) in 1984, followed by a Doctor of Canon Law (JCD) degree in 1987, both from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. During this period, he also learned Italian. His doctoral thesis was a study of the role of the local prior in the Order of Saint Augustine.{{cite news | access-date =May 22, 2025 | newspaper =New York Times | date =May 22, 2025 | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/us/pope-leo-doctoral-dissertation.html | title =Pope Leo's Doctoral Dissertation: Thoughts on Power and Authority | first1 =Ruth | last1 =Graham | first2 =Elizabeth | last2 =Dias | first3 =Jason | last3 =Horowitz | archive-date =May 22, 2025 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20250522100056/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/us/pope-leo-doctoral-dissertation.html | url-status =live }} Villanova University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 2014.

File:Immaculate Conception Church Lafayette at Longfellow St. Louis MO.jpg at Immaculate Conception Church in St. Louis, Missouri.]]

On September 1, 1977, Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine as a novice, residing for one year at Immaculate Conception Church in the Gate District neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri.{{Cite web |last=Smelser |first=Kamy |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV's former St. Louis residence is on the market for $1.8M |work=FOX 2 |url=https://fox2now.com/news/real-estate/pope-leo-xivs-former-st-louis-residence-is-on-the-market-for-1-8m/ |access-date=May 12, 2025 |publisher=KTVI |archive-date=May 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514174139/https://fox2now.com/news/real-estate/pope-leo-xivs-former-st-louis-residence-is-on-the-market-for-1-8m/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kukuljan |first=Steph |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV in St. Louis: 'Bob' Prevost started his papal journey here |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_89d4062b-75e0-495e-8b30-a91e8a0ac920.html |access-date=May 8, 2025 |newspaper= St. Louis Post-Dispatch}}{{Cite web |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV Lived In St. Louis While Preparing For The Priesthood |url=https://www.stlmag.com/news/pope-leo-xiv-lived-in-st-louis/ |access-date=May 8, 2025 |website= St. Louis Magazine }}{{Cite web |last=Kosta |first=Laura |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Parishioner recalls now-pope as 'gentle, contemplative' novice in St. Louis |url=https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/parishioner-recalls-now-pope-as-gentle-contemplative-novice-in-st-louis/ |access-date=May 11, 2025 |website=St. Louis Review |archive-date=May 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512085907/https://www.stlouisreview.com/story/parishioner-recalls-now-pope-as-gentle-contemplative-novice-in-st-louis/ |url-status=live }} In the summer of 1978, Prevost spent three months in Clinical Pastoral Education at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.{{cite news |last1=Ruff |first1=Joe |title=As a seminarian, Pope Leo XIV lived 3 months in Minneapolis |url=https://www.thecatholicspirit.com/news/local-news/as-a-seminarian-pope-leo-xiv-lived-3-months-in-minneapolis/ |access-date=May 17, 2025 |work=The Catholic Spirit |date=May 16, 2025 |archive-date=May 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517015248/https://www.thecatholicspirit.com/news/local-news/as-a-seminarian-pope-leo-xiv-lived-3-months-in-minneapolis/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Kaufman |first1=Jared |title=West St. Paul pastor recalls spending the summer of 1980 in Minnesota with a friend — Pope Leo XIV |url=https://www.twincities.com/2025/05/16/pope-leo-robert-prevost-st-paul-minnesota/ |access-date=May 17, 2025 |work=Pioneer Press |date=May 16, 2025 |archive-date=May 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517132140/https://www.twincities.com/2025/05/16/pope-leo-robert-prevost-st-paul-minnesota/ |url-status=live }} He moved to Chicago, and took his first vows on September 2, 1978; he made his solemn vows on August 29, 1981. On September 10, 1981, Prevost was ordained a deacon by Thomas Gumbleton at St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan.{{cite news |last1=Meloy |first1=Daniel |last2=Stechschulte |first2=Michael |title=Another Detroit tie: Pope Leo XIV was ordained a deacon in Grosse Pointe Park |url=https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/another-detroit-tie-pope-leo-xiv-was-ordained-a-deacon-in-grosse-pointe-park |access-date=May 15, 2025 |work=Detroit Catholic |date=May 14, 2025 |archive-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515000350/https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/another-detroit-tie-pope-leo-xiv-was-ordained-a-deacon-in-grosse-pointe-park |url-status=live }} Prevost was ordained a priest in Rome, at the Church of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani by Archbishop Jean Jadot on June 19, 1982.{{cite web |last=Scaramuzzi |first=Iacopo |date=April 25, 2025 |title=Prevost, il cardinale americano cosmopolita e schivo che può essere l'outsider |trans-title=Prevost, the cosmopolitan and shy American cardinal who could be the outsider |url=https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2025/04/26/news/robert_francis_prevost_cardinale_conclave_papabili-424147258/ |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=La Repubblica |language=it |archive-date=April 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426015742/https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2025/04/26/news/robert_francis_prevost_cardinale_conclave_papabili-424147258/ |url-status=live }}

Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985, serving as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas (1985–1986). In 1987, after defending his doctoral thesis, he was vocation director and missions director of the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Olympia Fields, Illinois, and worked with the faculty of the Augustinian Novitiate in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, before returning to Peru in 1988.{{cite web|website=Mendel Catholic Prep Alumni Association|date=September 28, 2023|url=https://mendelchs.org/blog/2023/09/28/watch-archbishop-robert-prevost-o-s-a-becomes-a-cardinal-this-weekend/|title=Augustinian Archbishop Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., to become Cardinal|access-date=May 9, 2025|archive-date=May 8, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508201716/https://mendelchs.org/blog/2023/09/28/watch-archbishop-robert-prevost-o-s-a-becomes-a-cardinal-this-weekend/|url-status=live}} During his time in Peru, Prevost met and appreciated the Dominican priest and theologian Gustavo Gutierrez, a founder of liberation theology. He also learned and mastered the Spanish language during this period.

File:Kathedralbasilika St. Maria, Trujillo, Peru,.jpg.]]

Prevost spent a decade heading the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, teaching canon law in the diocesan seminary, serving as prefect of studies, acting as a judge in the regional ecclesiastical court, and working in parish ministry on the city's outskirts.{{cite book |last=Kelly |first=John J. |url=https://archive.org/details/adventureinfaith0000kell/mode/1up |title=Adventure in Faith: The Story of the Chulucanas Prelature |date=1989 |publisher=Augustinian Historical Institute, Villanova University |via=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-941491-42-6|access-date=May 9, 2025}} He proved successful in the Augustinians' efforts to recruit Peruvians for the priesthood and leadership positions in the order.{{cite news |access-date=May 9, 2025 |first=Michael Sean |last=Winters |work=National Catholic Reporter |url = https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/prevost-new-pope-american-cardinal-committed-reforms-pope-francis-began |title=Prevost is new pope, an American cardinal committed to the reforms Pope Francis began |date=May 8, 2025}} He organized support for Venezuelan refugees to Peru despite discrimination against the Venezuelans.{{cite news |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=May 11, 2025 |date=May 9, 2025 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/world/europe/pope-leo-mass-catholic-church.html |title=Pope Leo XIV Echoes Francis in His First Mass, Aligning Himself With 'Ordinary People' |first1=Jason |last1=Horowitz |first2=Elizabeth |last2=Dias |first3=Emma |last3=Bubola |first4=Richard |last4=Pérez-Peña |archive-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511121057/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/world/europe/pope-leo-mass-catholic-church.html |url-status=live }}

During the Fujimorato era, Prevost criticized the actions of then-President Alberto Fujimori, placing special emphasis on the victims of the Peruvian Army, especially the Colina Group, during the period of terrorism in Peru, as well as on political corruption. In 2017, he criticized President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's decision to pardon Fujimori, and called upon Fujimori "to personally apologize for some of the great injustices that were committed".{{cite web |date=May 8, 2025 |title=El Papa León XIV y su relación con Perú, el país que adoptó como hogar y al que dedicó parte de su discurso |trans-title=Pope Leo XIV and his relationship with Peru, the country he adopted as his home and to which he dedicated part of his speech |url=https://www.perfil.com/noticias/protagonistas/papa-leon-xiv-y-su-relacion-con-peru-el-pais-que-adopto-como-su-hogar-y-a-quien-dedico-parte-de-su-discurso.phtml |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Perfil |language=es}} His years in Peru gave him personal knowledge of political violence and inequality; at times, as a missionary, he traveled by horse on difficult roads to reach the isolated communities in the valleys of Lambayeque.{{Cite web |last=Angulo |first=Jazmine |date=May 8, 2025 |title=El paso del Papa León XIV por Chiclayo: se trasladaba a caballo para ir hasta las zonas más alejadas del país |trans-title=Pope Leo XIV's passage through Chiclayo: he traveled on horseback to reach the most remote areas of the country |url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/2025/05/08/el-paso-del-papa-leon-xiv-por-chiclayo-se-trasladaba-a-caballo-para-ir-hasta-las-zonas-mas-alejadas-del-pais/ |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Infobae |language=es-ES}} He also stood out as a defender of human rights of the population of the Norte Chico region against the violence of the Marxist–Leninist–Maoist guerrilla organization Shining Path.{{cite web |last=Páez |first=Angel |date=May 8, 2025 |title=León XIV: el 'papa de Chiclayo' que vivió la violencia terrorista en Perú, acompañó a los humildes y se enfrentó al ex presidente Alberto Fujimori |trans-title=Leo XIV: The 'Pope of Chiclayo' who lived through terrorist violence in Peru, stood up for the poor, and confronted former President Alberto Fujimori. |url=https://www.clarin.com/mundo/leon-xiv-papa-chiclayo-vivio-violencia-terrorista-peru-acompano-humildes-enfrento-ex-presidente-alberto-fujimori_0_Tbln4pMRlQ.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo5zQtXI25EGIAO0Ag6u-tgFtVtqAn9fbwd-5WmoYs0kdczhWuc |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Clarín |language=es}}{{cite web |date=May 8, 2025 |title=León XIV: El Papa que enfrentó a Alberto Fujimori cuando era obispo en Chiclayo |trans-title=Leo XIV: The Pope who confronted Alberto Fujimori when he was bishop in Chiclayo |url=https://www.atv.pe/noticia/leon-xiv-el-papa-que-enfrento-a-alberto-fujimori-cuando-era-obispo-en-chiclayo/ |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=ATV – Atrevámonos |language=es}}

In 1998, Prevost was elected Prior Provincial of the Order of St. Augustine's Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel based in Chicago, assuming the role on March 8, 1999. In 2000, he permitted James Ray, an Augustinian priest, to reside at St. John Stone Friary in Chicago under supervision. Ray had been suspended from public ministry since 1991 due to credible accusations that he had sexually abused minors. Prevost's placing of Ray in a friary close to St. Thomas School was the subject of reporting in 2021, prior to his appointment to the Vatican.{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2021|title=Vatican congregation member allowed priest accused of child abuse to live near Catholic school |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/vatican-congregation-member-allowed |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=The Pillar |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728140608/https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/vatican-congregation-member-allowed |url-status=live}} Ray was moved to other housing in 2002 after American bishops implemented stricter rules in the Dallas Charter.{{cite news |last=Herguth |first=Robert |date=February 26, 2021 |title=Church officials disapproved moving another priest accused of abuse to Hyde Park friary, records show |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/2/26/22302129/catholics-priest-child-sex-abuse-st-john-friary-james-ray-richard-mcgrath-hyde-park-augustinians |access-date=January 30, 2023 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131182656/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/2/26/22302129/catholics-priest-child-sex-abuse-st-john-friary-james-ray-richard-mcgrath-hyde-park-augustinians |url-status=live}}{{efn|That Ray was allowed to live at the friary was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times in 2021, based on documents the church made public in 2014.}}

Elected Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine in 2001, Prevost served two consecutive, six-year terms until 2013.{{cite news |date=September 11, 2007 |title=Augustinians re-elect current Prior General at Chapter meeting |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/10353/augustinians-re-elect-current-prior-general-at-chapter-meeting |access-date=May 8, 2025 |agency=Catholic News Agency |location=Rome, Italy}} During his tenure as the global head of the Augustinian order, Prevost lived and worked in Rome, but frequently traveled around the world. It was in that capacity that in 2004, he visited Buenos Aires and met Cardinal Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio for the first time. Their early encounters are reported to have not gone well. Prevost later explained that at the time, he thought he would never become a bishop after Bergoglio was elected pope in 2013, but has declined to reveal what they initially disagreed upon. However, they were able to reconcile their differences before Prevost left Rome for Chicago in 2013.

From 2013 to 2014, Prevost served as director of formation at the Convent of St. Augustine in Chicago, and as first councilor and provincial vicar of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel.

File:Santa María Catedral - Chiclayo.jpg in Chiclayo, Peru, where Prevost was diocesan bishop from 2015 to 2023]]

On November 3, 2014, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in northern Peru and the titular bishop of Sufar.{{cite press release |title=Rinunce e nomine, 03.11.2014 |trans-title=Resignations and Appointments, 03.11.2014|date=November 3, 2014 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2014/11/03/0814/01717.html |language=it |access-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626190210/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2014/11/03/0814/01717.html |url-status=live }} He was consecrated on December 12, 2014, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Chiclayo by Archbishop James Green, Apostolic Nuncio to Peru.{{cite web |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Pope Francis' successor/ Who is Pope Leo XIV, who was elected today by the Conclave? |url=https://www.cna.al/english/kosova-bota/pasardhesi-i-papa-franceskut-kush-eshte-papa-leoni-xiv-qe-u-zgjodh-s-i429415 |access-date=May 10, 2025 |website=CNA |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510165442/https://www.cna.al/english/kosova-bota/pasardhesi-i-papa-franceskut-kush-eshte-papa-leoni-xiv-qe-u-zgjodh-s-i429415 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=May 9, 2025 |title=US cardinal Prevost is new pope, chooses name Leo XIV |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1249738 |access-date=May 10, 2025 |work=Philippine News Agency}} On September 26, 2015, he was named Bishop of Chiclayo.{{cite press release |title=Rinunce e nomine, 26.09.2015 |trans-title=Resignations and Appointments, 26.09.2015 |date=September 26, 2015 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2015/09/26/0722/01562.html |language=it |access-date=November 21, 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508185727/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2015/09/26/0722/01562.html |archive-date=May 8, 2025}}{{cite news |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV: Robert Prevost, from Peru missionary to first American pontiff |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250508-pope-leo-xiv-profile-robert-prevost-from-peru-missionary-to-first-american-pontiff |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=France 24 |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508180200/https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250508-pope-leo-xiv-profile-robert-prevost-from-peru-missionary-to-first-american-pontiff |url-status=live}} As required by a 1980 pact between the Holy See and Peru,{{cite web | access-date = May 17, 2025 | url = https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/archivio/documents/rc_seg-st_19800726_santa-sede-peru_sp.html | website = Secretariat of State, Holy See | language = es | date = July 26, 1980 | title = Conventio Acuerdo entre la Santa Sede y la Republica del Perú | archive-date = May 11, 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250511093003/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/archivio/documents/rc_seg-st_19800726_santa-sede-peru_sp.html | url-status = live }} Prevost became a naturalized Peruvian citizen before becoming bishop.

Prevost developed a close bond with the diocese of Chiclayo, directing a special message to them in his first message as Pope, calling them "my beloved diocese", "faithful people" and "faithful church".{{cite news |last=Olmo |first=Guillermo D. |date=May 8, 2025 |title="Mi querida Diócesis de Chiclayo": la estrecha relación con Perú del nuevo papa León XIV |trans-title="My beloved Diocese of Chiclayo": the new Pope Leo XIV's close relationship with Peru |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/czdypv1j86go.amp |access-date=May 11, 2025 |work=BBC News Mundo |language=es |archive-date=May 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512085907/https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/czdypv1j86go.amp |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/boots-during-floods-vestments-mass-peruvians-claim-leo-xiv-local | title=In boots during floods, in vestments at Mass: Peruvians claim Leo XIV as a local }} He was seen as being "very faithful to the Church's social doctrine" and organized relief efforts during calamities. He also supported projects in favor of Venezuelan refugees and encouraged vocations in youth groups, giving strong support to the seminary. According to interviews done by The Pillar, people in the diocese described their bishop as having a "balanced" personality, a "calming presence", showing "great charity and great clarity" in doctrinal matters, and a bridge-builder with "apostolic zeal".

On July 13, 2019, Prevost was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Clergy,{{cite press release |title=Rinunce e nomine, 13.07.2019 |trans-title=Resignations and Appointments, 13-07.2019|date=July 13, 2019 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2019/07/13/0589/01216.html |language=it |access-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728135715/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2019/07/13/0589/01216.html |url-status=live}} and on April 15, 2020, he became apostolic administrator of Callao.{{Cite press release |title=Rinunce e nomine, 15.04.2020 |trans-title=Resignations and Appointments, 15.04.2020 |date=April 15, 2020 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2020/04/15/0227/00504.html |language=it |access-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603173622/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2020/04/15/0227/00504.html |url-status=live}}{{efn|His role in Callao ended upon the installation of a new bishop there on May 26, 2021.}} On November 21, 2020, he joined the Congregation for Bishops.{{cite press release |title=Rinunce e nomine, 21.11.2020 |trans-title=Resignations and Appointments, 21.11.2020 |date=November 21, 2020 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2020/11/21/0601/01405.html |language=it |access-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715174350/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2020/11/21/0601/01405.html |url-status=live}} Within the Episcopal Conference of Peru, he served on the permanent council (2018–2020) and was elected president of its Commission for Education and Culture in 2019, also contributing to Caritas Peru.{{cite news |last1=Wells |first1=Ione |last2=Olmo |first2=Guillermo D. |last3=Sullivan |first3=Helen |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Peru celebrates Pope Leo XIV as one of their own |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewdl4e57v7o |access-date=May 9, 2025 |work=BBC News}}{{cite web |date=May 8, 2025 |title=In-depth: A look at the man who has become Leo XIV |url=https://aleteia.org/2025/05/08/in-depth-a-look-at-the-man-who-has-become-leo-xiv |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Aleteia}} While bishop, he established a diocesan Commission on Integral Ecology and appointed a woman to lead it. Prevost had a private audience with Pope Francis on March 1, 2021,{{cite press release |title=Audiences, 01.03.2021 |date=March 1, 2021 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/03/01/210301a.html |access-date=May 31, 2021 |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609152208/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/03/01/210301a.html |url-status=live}} sparking speculation about a new role in Chicago or Rome.{{cite news |date=March 6, 2021 |title=Curial speculation follows papal meetings with bishops |first=Andrea |last=Gagliarducci |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/246724/curial-speculation-follows-papal-meetings-with-bishops |access-date=May 31, 2021 |agency=Catholic News Agency |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206000950/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/246724/curial-speculation-follows-papal-meetings-with-bishops |url-status=live}}

File:Bishop of Chiclayo Robert Prevost on extreme poverty in the region (2018).webm

Prevost has been accused of covering up sexual abuse during his time in Chiclayo.{{cite web |date=May 2, 2025 |title='If he saw and stayed silent—he's not a good priest;' Activist says inaction over Providence H.S. sex abuse disqualifies Pope hopeful Prevost |url=https://willcountygazette.com/stories/671124585-if-he-saw-and-stayed-silent-he-s-not-a |access-date=May 8, 2025 |website=Will County Gazette}}{{cite news |date=May 8, 2025 |title=New pope Leo XIV faces scrutiny over past handling of clergy‑abuse cases |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-853274 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=The Jerusalem Post}} In 2022, alleged victims of abuse in 2007 by priests Ricardo Yesquén Paiva and Eleuterio Vásquez Gonzáles said the Diocese of Chiclayo failed to investigate their cases.{{Cite news |last=Cayetano Chávez |first=José |date=December 13, 2023 |title=Dos sacerdotes de Lambayeque son acusados por agresiones sexuales: uno ya ha reconocido el delito |trans-title=Two priests from Lambayeque are accused of sexual assault; one has already admitted to the crime. |url=https://elcomercio.pe/peru/dos-sacerdotes-de-lambayeque-son-acusados-por-agresiones-sexuales-uno-ya-ha-reconocido-el-delito-lambayeque-violencia-sexual-menores-tocamientos-indebidos-noticia/ |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=El Comercio |language=es-PE |issn=1605-3052}} The Diocese of Chiclayo stated that Prevost followed proper procedures, met with Ana María Quispe and her sisters in April 2022 to personally attend the victims, encouraged them to initiate a civil action, and initiated a canonical investigation, the results of which he sent to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.{{cite news |last=D'Avillez |first=Filipe |date=September 18, 2024 |title=Cardinal Prevost never investigated abuse claims, alleged victims say |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/cardinal-prevost-never-investigated |work=The Pillar}}{{Cite web |last=Agren |first=David |title=Cardinal's former diocese denies claim of clerical sexual abuse cover-up |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/cardinals-former-diocese-denies-claim-clerical-sexual-abuse-cover |access-date=May 9, 2025 |newspaper=National Catholic Reporter |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508173759/https://www.ncronline.org/news/cardinals-former-diocese-denies-claim-clerical-sexual-abuse-cover |url-status=live }} The sisters stated in 2024 that no full penal canonical investigation occurred, and an investigation by América Televisión concluded that the church's investigation was not thorough.{{Cite web |date=September 9, 2024 |title=Exobispo de Chiclayo mantuvo en silencio casos de abuso sexual |url=https://www.americatv.com.pe/noticias/actualidad/exobispo-chiclayo-mantuvo-silencio-casos-abuso-sexual-n496492 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |website=América Noticias |language=es}}{{Cite web |last=d'Avillez |first=Filipe |date=September 18, 2024 |title=Cardinal Prevost never investigated abuse claims, alleged victims say |url=https://www.snapnetwork.org/cardinal_prevost_never_investigated_abuse_claims_alleged_victims_say |access-date=May 8, 2025 |publisher=Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests}}

Speaking to the Peruvian newspaper La República while Bishop of Chiclayo, Prevost said: "If you are a victim of sexual abuse by a priest, report it. We reject cover-ups and secrecy; that causes a lot of harm. We have to help people who have suffered due to wrongdoing."{{cite news |language=es |url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/1480368-prevost-victima-abuso-sexual-sacerdote-denuncialo |access-date=May 11, 2025 |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Prevost: 'Si eres víctima de abuso sexual de un sacerdote, denúncialo' |newspaper=La República |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510044030/https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/1480368-prevost-victima-abuso-sexual-sacerdote-denuncialo |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Extremely online new pope unafraid to talk politics |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/extremely-online-pope-unafraid-talk-222844749.html |access-date=May 11, 2025 |agency=Agence France-Presse |via=Yahoo News}}{{efn|This interview was conducted while Prevost was bishop but was published after he was elected pope.}} Journalist {{ill|Pedro Salinas (journalist)|lt=Pedro Salinas|es|Pedro Salinas (periodista)}}, who investigated and exposed crimes committed by members of the now-defunct Sodalitium Christianae Vitae—including sexual, physical, and psychological abuse—has argued that Prevost always expressed his support for the victims and was one of the most reliable clerical authorities in Peru, leading Pope Francis to select him as prefect of bishops. Salinas has written that some of the Peruvian clerics linked to the Sodalitium sought to attack and defame Prevost in retaliation for his role in the Sodalitium's dissolution by Pope Francis due to its sexual abuse scandals, as well as Prevost being near to Francis's political theology.{{Cite web |date=May 6, 2025 |title=Pedro Salinas: 'Las 'denuncias' de encubrimiento contra Robert Prevost son absolutamente falsas' |url=https://www.religiondigital.org/america/Pedro-Salinas-encubrimiento-Robert-Prevost-Peru-Sodalicio-Papables_0_2776522347.html |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Religión Digital |language=es-ES}}{{Cite web |title='Robert Prevost jugó un rol importante en contra de los abusos en las iglesias de Perú', dicen investigadores |url=https://www.airedesantafe.com.ar/internacionales/robert-prevost-el-nuevo-papa-la-iglesia-catolica-jugo-un-rol-importante-contra-los-abusos-peru-dicen-investigadores-n616241 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Aire de Santa Fe |language=es-AR}}

File:Cardinal Robert F. Prevost at the Consistory on 30 September 2023 (3x4 cropped).jpg

By the 2020s, Pope Francis had become close to Prevost and advanced his career.{{cite news |date=May 9, 2025 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/world/europe/pope-leo-francis.html |title=Francis Connected With Leo Long Ago and Boosted His Career |first=Emma |last=Bubola |newspaper=The New York Times |url-access=limited |access-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510021315/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/world/europe/pope-leo-francis.html |url-status=live }} On January 30, 2023, Francis appointed Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops with the title Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo.{{cite press release |title=Resignations and Appointments, 30.01.2023 |date=January 30, 2023 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/01/30/230130b.html |access-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609041216/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/01/30/230130b.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=January 30, 2023 |title=Pope Francis names Chicago native head of Vatican bishops' department |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/pope-francis-names-bishop-robert-prevost-to-head-of-vatican-bishops-department |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=The Pillar |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508211009/https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/pope-francis-names-bishop-robert-prevost-to-head-of-vatican-bishops-department |url-status=live}} Prevost expressed a preference to stay in Peru, but nonetheless accepted the appointment to move to Rome.

On September 30, 2023, Francis created Prevost a cardinal with the rank of Cardinal-Deacon and assigned the deaconry of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani.{{cite press release |title=Assignation of Titles and Deaconries to the new Cardinals, 30.09.2023 |date=September 30, 2023 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/09/30/230930b.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001021954/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/09/30/230930b.html |url-status=live }} As prefect, he played a critical role in evaluating and recommending episcopal candidates worldwide, increasing his visibility within the church.{{cite web |last=Wooden |first=Cindy |date=April 30, 2025 |title=U.S. cardinal's résumé, demeanor land him on 'papabile' lists |url=https://angelusnews.com/news/vatican/cardinals-prevost/ |access-date=May 8, 2025 |website=Angelus}} These roles elevated his prominence as a papal candidate leading into the conclave.{{cite web |last=White |first=Christopher |date=April 30, 2025 |title=The first American pope? This cardinal has the best chance of making history in this conclave |url=https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/papal-front-runner-interest-polyglot-us-cardinal-prevost-rises-italian |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509061128/https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/papal-front-runner-interest-polyglot-us-cardinal-prevost-rises-italian |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=National Catholic Reporter}}{{cite news |date=May 2, 2025 |title=Who will be pope? Meet some possible contenders |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/who-will-be-pope-meet-some-possible-contenders |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503001025/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/who-will-be-pope-meet-some-possible-contenders |archive-date=May 3, 2025 |access-date=May 3, 2025 |work=PBS News Hour}}{{cite magazine |last=Baker |first=Aryn |date=May 6, 2025 |title=Who Could Be the Next Pope? These Are the Names to Know |url=https://time.com/7282843/next-pope-candidates-zuppi-parolin-tagle-turkson-erdo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506211100/https://time.com/7282843/next-pope-candidates-zuppi-parolin-tagle-turkson-erdo/ |archive-date=May 6, 2025 |access-date=May 6, 2025 |magazine=Time}} In October 2023, Francis appointed him as a member of seven additional dicasteries,{{efn|Francis appointed him to the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, Dicastery for the Clergy, Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Dicastery for Culture and Education, and Dicastery for Legislative Texts.}} and also named him to the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State.

On February 6, 2025, Francis promoted Prevost to cardinal-bishop, assigning him as titular bishop of the Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano.{{cite press release |title=Resignations and Appointments, 06.02.2025 |date=February 6, 2025 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2025/02/06/0113/00233.html |access-date=February 6, 2025 |archive-date=February 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223233859/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2025/02/06/0113/00233.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=February 6, 2025 |title=College of Cardinals: Pope extends terms of dean and vice-dean |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-02/college-of-cardinals-pope-extends-terms-of-dean-and-vice-dean.html |access-date=February 26, 2025 |website=Vatican News}} On February 11, he was appointed to the dignity and rank of Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Order of Malta by Grand Master Fra' John Dunlap.{{Cite web |title=El cardenal Robert Francis Prevost es nombrado Balío Gran Cruz de Honor y Devoción |url=https://www.orderofmalta.int/es/noticias/cardenal-robert-francis-prevost-balio-gran-cruz-de-honor-y-devocion/ |access-date=May 14, 2025 |publisher=Sovereign Military Order of Malta |language=es-ES}} Prevost was active in the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council and participated in the council's meetings in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, in May 2023.{{cite web |last=Ortiz Figueroa |first=Ariana |date=May 8, 2025 |title=El papa León XIV estuvo en Puerto Rico en el 2023 |url=https://www.telemundo31.com/especiales/religion-y-espiritualidad/el-papa-leon-xiv-estuvo-en-puerto-rico-en-el-2023/2347225/ |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Telemundo |language=es}}

{{See also|List of pastoral visits of Pope Leo XIV|List of foreign visits to Pope Leo XIV}}

{{See also|2025 conclave}}

File:Pope Leo XIV on the loggia.jpg

In pre-conclave speculation, Prevost was considered a dark horse compared to more prominent {{lang|it|papabili}},{{cite web |last1=Maddox |first1=David |last2=Gooch |first2=Bryony |date=May 7, 2025 |title=Who could be the new Pope? The cardinals in the running ahead of the Conclave |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/papal-conclave-cardinals-new-pope-candidates-b2746175.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507194344/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/papal-conclave-cardinals-new-pope-candidates-b2746175.html |archive-date=May 7, 2025 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=The Independent}}{{cite web |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Nel conclave il peso degli americani, Dolan 'pope maker' – Dall'addio a Francesco al nuovo Papa |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/speciali/dalladdio-a-francesco-al-nuovo-papa/2025/05/08/nelf-conclave-il-peso-degli-americani-dolan-pope-maker_df58b4dc-fca1-4900-a4bc-f8c9653ed022.html |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Agenzia ANSA |language=it}} although he was noted to be an ally of Pope Francis and a possible compromise candidate.{{cite web |last1=Bedigan |first1=Mike |last2=Watling |first2=Tom |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Meet Leo XIV: The first American pope no one expected |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/new-pope-leo-xiv-cardinal-robert-prevost-b2747492.html |access-date=May 9, 2025 |work=The Independent}} His American nationality had been regarded as a potential stumbling block to his candidacy, reflecting unease about enhancing the United States's geopolitical power.{{cite news |title=Cardinal Prevost elected next pope, first American pontiff |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/cardinal-prevost-elected-next-pope-first-american-pontiff |access-date=May 10, 2025 |work=PBS News Hour |date=May 8, 2025 |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509191629/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/cardinal-prevost-elected-next-pope-first-american-pontiff |url-status=live }} Prevost was well aware of this, explaining to a friend by text message: "I'm an American, I can't be elected". Supporters argued that he represented a "dignified middle of the road".{{cite news |last=Rich |first=Motoko |date=May 2, 2025 |title=There's Never Been a Pope from the U.S. Could This Cardinal Change That? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/world/americas/pope-candidate-cardinal-robert-francis-prevost.html |access-date=May 6, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |url-access=limited}}

Prevost was elected pope on May 8, 2025, the second day of the conclave, on the fourth ballot. White smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel at 18:07 CEST (UTC+2), signifying to the public that a pope had been chosen.{{cite news |title=Just In: White smoke pours from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling a pope has been elected to lead the Catholic Church |url=https://apnews.com/live/conclave-pope-catholic-church-updates-5-8-2025#00000196-b0a9-dbbd-a7b6-f6bb3f4f0000 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |work=Associated Press News |date=May 8, 2025}} After accepting his election and adopting his papal name, Leo embraced his fellow cardinals upon exiting the Sistine Chapel. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the cardinal protodeacon, made the traditional Latin proclamation, {{lang|la|Habemus papam}}, announcing Pope Leo XIV to the public for the first time from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica.{{cite news |last1=Deliso |first1=Meredith |last2=Forrester|first2= Megan |date=May 8, 2025|title=What we know about Leo XIV, the new American pope |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/new-american-pope-leo-xiv-robert-prevost/story?id=121604332 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |agency=ABC News }}{{cite web |last=Galeazzi|first=Giacomo|date=May 8, 2025 |title=Leone, nome forte contro i potenti. Un omaggio alla dottrina sociale |trans-title=Leo, a strong name against the powerful. A tribute to social doctrine|url=https://www.lastampa.it/cronaca/speciali/conclave/2025/05/09/news/leone_nome_forte_contro_i_potenti-15138555/ |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=La Stampa |language=it}} According to Italian law enforcement, by the time of the habemus papam announcement, right before Pope Leo XIV revealed himself, there were up to 150,000 in the square.{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2025 |title=Habemus Papam, eletto l'americano Robert Francis Prevost: è Leone XIV. "La pace sia con voi" |url=https://www.rainews.it/maratona/2025/05/conclave-elezione-nuovo-papa-da-extra-omnes-habemus-papam-fumata-bianca-fumata-nera-cappella-cardinali-segreto-sistina-riti-bf276539-ade1-4c88-91a1-19dfb7a33151.html#4c09c424-ea38-463d-bda2-01ab211d5ab8 |access-date=May 20, 2025 |website=RaiNews |language=it}}

Leo appeared wearing the traditional papal stole and mozzetta,{{cite web |last=Wooden|first=Cindy|date=May 8, 2025|title=Chicago native Cardinal Prevost elected pope, takes name Leo XIV |url=https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/chicago-native-cardinal-prevost-elected-pope-takes-name-leo-xiv |access-date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=United States Conference of Catholic Bishops }} vestments Pope Francis did not wear upon his greeting of the world following his election.{{cite web |last1=Grossman Kantor|first1=Wendy|last2=Adams|first2=Abigail |date=May 8, 2025|title=Pope Leo XIV Made History by Becoming First American Pontiff. Why Experts Are 'Surprised and Excited' |url=https://people.com/pope-leo-xiv-made-history-why-experts-surprised-excited-exclusive-11731257 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=People |quote=Gillespie says that the new pope's decision to wear a traditional red mozzetta cape could signify a more 'traditional direction,' but believes that he will still be informed by the 'openness' of Francis.}}{{cite web |last=Palma |first=Ester |date=May 8, 2025 |title=I paramenti e il motto scelti da papa Leone XIV, e le differenze con la talare bianca di Francesco |trans-title=The vestments and motto chosen by Pope Leo XIV, and the differences with the white cassock of Francis |url=https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/25_maggio_08/paramenti-papa-leone-xvi-differenze-francesco-cede876c-5ee2-4c26-8e77-9ae389729xlk.shtml |access-date=May 11, 2025 |website=Corriere della Sera |language=it}} His pectoral cross was one he wore during the conclave, a gift from the Postulator General of the Augustinian Order when he became a cardinal, containing relics from Saint Augustine and his mother Saint Monica, among others.{{cite web | url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/relics-of-saint-augustine-and-mother-monica-in-crucifix-pope-leo.html | title=Pope Leo XIV's pectoral cross holds relics of Saints Augustine and Monica - Vatican News | date=May 10, 2025 }} He then delivered his first address in Italian and Spanish. He expressed gratitude for the legacy of Pope Francis, and imparted his first {{lang|la|Urbi et Orbi}} blessing in Latin.{{cite web |last=Wooden |first=Cindy |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Breaking: Chicago native Cardinal Prevost elected pope, takes name Leo XIV |url=https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/breaking-chicago-native-cardinal-prevost-elected-pope-takes-name-leo-xiv |access-date=May 8, 2025 |website=Detroit Catholic |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509061042/https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/breaking-chicago-native-cardinal-prevost-elected-pope-takes-name-leo-xiv |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Stuart |first=Riley |date=May 8, 2025 |title=In 10 minutes, Pope Leo XIV told us a lot about himself, and his agenda |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-09/pope-leo-told-us-a-lot-about-himself-in-his-first-speech/105272036 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |agency=ABC News |archive-date=May 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512110323/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-09/pope-leo-told-us-a-lot-about-himself-in-his-first-speech/105272036 |url-status=live }}

Leo XIV is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine and the second pope from the Americas (after Pope Francis), and the 267th overall pope.{{cite web |last1 =Watling|first1=Tom|last2= Bedigan|first2=Mike |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Chicago-born Robert Prevost appointed 267th Pope |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/new-pope-robert-prevost-conclave-catholic-b2746517.html |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=The Independent }}{{cite news |first1=Paul |last1=Kirby |last2=Wells|first2=Ione |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Who is Robert Prevost, the new Pope Leo XIV? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0ln80lzk7ko |work=BBC News|access-date=May 9, 2025}} He is a dual citizen of Peru and the United States.{{cite magazine |last=Burga |first=Solcyré |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Where Pope Leo Stands on Specific Issues |url=https://time.com/7283887/pope-leo-lgbtq-women-migrants-rights/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508203342/https://time.com/7283887/pope-leo-lgbtq-women-migrants-rights/ |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |magazine=Time}}{{cite web |last=Sage |first=Alexandria |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Soft-spoken Prevost is first pope from the US (and Peru) |url=https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/world/soft-spoken-prevost-is-first-pope-from-the-united-states-and-peru.phtml |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Buenos Aires Times}}{{cite news |last=Collyns |first=Dan |date=May 8, 2025 |title='The pope is Peruvian': elation in country where pontiff served as bishop |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/08/pope-leo-xiv-peru-latin-america |access-date=May 9, 2025 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} He is the first American pope,{{cite news |last=Robecco |first=Valeria |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Donald tra stupore e orgoglio: 'Spero di vederlo presto'. Festa per lo 'yankee latino' |trans-title=Donald between amazement and pride: 'I hope to see him soon'. Celebration for the 'Latin Yankee' |url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica-estera/donald-stupore-e-orgoglio-spero-vederlo-presto-festa-yankee-2476468.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510151036/https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica-estera/donald-stupore-e-orgoglio-spero-vederlo-presto-festa-yankee-2476468.html |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |work=Il Giornale |language=it |url-status=live }} in the sense of being the first born in the United States.{{cite news |last1=Horowitz |first1=Jason |last2=Rich |first2=Motoko |last3=Dias |first3=Elizabeth |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Robert Francis Prevost, Now Leo XIV, Is First American Pope |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/08/world/pope-conclave-news |access-date=May 11, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite news |last1=Faiola |first1=Anthony |last2=Boorstein |first2=Michelle |last3=Pitrelli |first3=Stefano |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Leo XIV, elevated by Francis, becomes first American pope |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/08/pope-leo-robert-prevost-conclave-catholic/ |access-date=May 9, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}{{cite web |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Robert Francis Prevost becomes first U.S.-born pope|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/world/the-vatican/live-blog/conclave-2025-live-updates-rcna205525 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508170131/https://www.nbcnews.com/world/the-vatican/live-blog/conclave-2025-live-updates-rcna205525 |url-status=live }} He is the second to be a native English speaker, after the English-born Adrian IV ({{reign|1154|1159}}), who would have spoken Middle English.{{cite web |last=Sporzynski |first=Darius von Guttner |date=May 9, 2025 |title='Peace be with all of you': how Pope Leo XIV embodies a living dialogue between tradition and modernity |url=https://theconversation.com/peace-be-with-all-of-you-how-pope-leo-xiv-embodies-a-living-dialogue-between-tradition-and-modernity-256084 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=The Conversation }} Leo is also the first pope born after World War II and during the Cold War, and thus the first to be born in the Baby Boomer generation.{{cite web |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Habemus Boomer Papam! |url=https://ivcusa.org/habemus-boomer-papam/ |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=Ignatian Volunteer Corps |archive-date=May 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513014816/https://ivcusa.org/habemus-boomer-papam/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=McLaughlin |date=May 13, 2025 |title=A Generational Pope |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/a-generational-pope/ |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=National Review |archive-date=May 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513170100/https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/a-generational-pope/ |url-status=live }} While Leo is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine,{{cite press release |title=Augustinian Friar and Villanova University Alumnus Elected Pope |date=May 8, 2025 |url=https://www1.villanova.edu/university/media/press-releases/2025/pope.html |access-date=May 10, 2025 |publisher=Villanova University}}{{cite web |last=Giesen |first=Greg |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV is first Augustinian pope. What is the Augustinian order? |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/pope-leo-xiv-first-augustinian-194122012.html |access-date=May 9, 2025 |newspaper=The News Journal |via=Yahoo News}} six previous popes belonged to other orders which follow the Augustinian Rule.{{cite news |last=Byfield |first=Erica |date=May 8, 2025 |title=What is the Order of St. Augustine, which counts Pope Leo XIV as a member? |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/what-is-the-order-of-st-augustine-pope-leo-xiv/6257174/ |access-date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=WNBC}}

File:Pope Leo XIV in the popemobile at his inauguration.jpg ride during his inauguration]]

{{See also|Papal inauguration of Pope Leo XIV}}

On May 9, the day after his election, Leo celebrated his first Mass as pope in the Sistine Chapel before the assembled College of Cardinals. During the Mass, he preached against the lack of faith in the world, and spoke of a church that would act as a "beacon that illuminates the dark nights of this world".{{cite news |last=Mao |first=Frances |title=Pope Leo XIV calls Church 'a beacon to illuminate dark nights' in first mass |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g3dydj3e3o.amp |date= May 9, 2025 |access-date= May 9, 2025}} Media reported that Leo would take up permanent residence in the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace rather than in the Domus Sanctae Marthae where Francis lived.{{Cite news |last1=McElwee |first1=Joshua |last2=Pullella |first2=Philip |date=May 17, 2025 |title=Moving back in: Pope Leo expected to live at Vatican's Apostolic Palace |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moving-back-pope-leo-expected-live-vaticans-apostolic-palace-2025-05-16/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516233545/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moving-back-pope-leo-expected-live-vaticans-apostolic-palace-2025-05-16/ |archive-date=May 16, 2025 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Reuters}}{{cite web |last=Hernández |first=Virginia |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Adiós a Santa Marta: León XIV residirá en el Palacio Apostólico y la Misa de inicio de su Pontificado será el 18 de mayo |url=https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2025/05/09/681e0e03e4d4d8d2758b4578.html |access-date=May 10, 2025 |website=El Mundo |language=es |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509200749/https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2025/05/09/681e0e03e4d4d8d2758b4578.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV set to move into long-abandoned papal apartment |url=https://international.la-croix.com/opinions/pope-leo-xiv-set-to-move-into-long-abandoned-papal-apartment |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=La Croix International |archive-date=May 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512161930/https://international.la-croix.com/opinions/pope-leo-xiv-set-to-move-into-long-abandoned-papal-apartment |url-status=live }}

Leo's inauguration Mass was held on May 18 in St. Peter's Square.{{cite web |title=Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV to be held on May 18 |website=Vatican News |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/inaugural-mass-of-pope-leo-xiv-to-be-held-on-may-18.html |access-date=May 10, 2025 |date=May 9, 2025 |archive-date=May 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513233419/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/inaugural-mass-of-pope-leo-xiv-to-be-held-on-may-18.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |access-date=May 17, 2025 |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-s-liturgical-celebrations-this-may.html |publisher=Vatican News |title=Vatican releases Pope Leo XIV's liturgical celebrations for May |first=Deborah Castellano |last=Lubov|date=May 12, 2025 }}{{cite web |access-date=May 17, 2025 |date=May 16, 2025 |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/rite-inauguration-petrine-ministry-leo-xiv-symbolism-rites.html |title=The rite for the Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of Leo XIV |first=Tiziana |last=Campisi |publisher=Vatican News |archive-date=May 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517215345/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/rite-inauguration-petrine-ministry-leo-xiv-symbolism-rites.html |url-status=live }} During the Mass, he received the pallium and his Ring of the Fisherman before 12 representatives of the people of God, including cardinals and bishops, who vowed obedience to the new pope.{{cite news |last1=Giuffrida |first1=Angela |title=Pope Leo XIV holds inaugural Mass at St Peter's Square in front of 250,000 |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2025/05/18/pope-leo-xiv-inaugural-mass-st-peters-square-rome/ |access-date=May 18, 2025 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=May 18, 2025 |language=en |archive-date=May 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518092847/https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2025/05/18/pope-leo-xiv-inaugural-mass-st-peters-square-rome/ |url-status=live }} On May 25, he was formally installed as Bishop of Rome in a ceremony at the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran.{{cite news |last1=Winfield |first1=Nicole |title=Pope Leo XIV declares 'I am Roman!' as he completes formalities to become bishop of Rome |url=https://apnews.com/article/rome-pope-bishop-ceremony-basilicas-ae01507115934e82a15e5f6758d08637 |access-date=May 26, 2025 |work=AP News |date=May 26, 2025 |language=en}}

On May 14, Leo made his first appointment of senior clergy, naming Miguel Ángel Contreras Llajaruna to be auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Callao in Peru.{{cite web |title=Pope Leo XIV makes his first appointment |website=ANSA |date=May 15, 2025 |url=https://www.ansa.it/english/news/vatican/2025/05/15/pope-leo-xiv-makes-his-first-appointment_aa00ea12-a252-4a44-872e-344a25cad8e5.html |access-date=May 16, 2025 |archive-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515115042/https://www.ansa.it/english/news/vatican/2025/05/15/pope-leo-xiv-makes-his-first-appointment_aa00ea12-a252-4a44-872e-344a25cad8e5.html |url-status=live }}

On June 5, Leo nominated Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou, which was approved by Chinese authorities on June 11 as part of a 2018 agreement between the People's Republic of China and the Holy See under Pope Francis.{{cite web |title=Pope Leo XIV names first Chinese bishop, signalling he is continuing Vatican's controversial accord |website=AP News |date=June 11, 2025 |url=https://apnews.com/article/vatican-china-bishop-pope-552ba1789e9770f2a1ee66b1e903b87c |access-date=June 11, 2025 }}

On June 13, Leo set the canonization of Carlo Acutis, which had been postponed due to Pope Francis's death, on September 7, 2025.{{cite web |title=First millennial saint Carlo Acutis will be canonized Sept. 7, the pope says |website=AP News |date=June 13, 2025 |url=https://apnews.com/article/vatican-saint-acutis-millennial-68d1af81ed757bf504399dcf08c1720d |access-date=June 13, 2025 }}

File:Papa Leone XIII (1898).jpg's social teachings.]]

Prevost's regnal name was chosen in honor of Pope Leo XIII (r. 1878–1903),{{Cite news |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Who is Pope Leo XIV and why does he overcome a taboo against a US pontiff? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-09/who-is-pope-leo-xiv/105271844 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |agency=ABC News}} whose encyclical Rerum novarum established modern Catholic social teaching and promoted labor rights.{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV to Cardinals: Church must respond to digital revolution |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-addresses-cardinals-10-may-2025-vatican.html |access-date=May 11, 2025 |website=Vatican News}} According to the Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni, this choice is "clearly a reference to the lives of men and women, to their work – even in an age marked by artificial intelligence."{{cite web |last=Merlo |first=Francesca |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Matteo Bruni: Pope Leo XIV's name choice highlights the Church's mission |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-05/matteo-bruni-holy-see-press-office-conference-leo-xiv-pope-elect.html |access-date=May 10, 2025 |website=Vatican News |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509051845/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-05/matteo-bruni-holy-see-press-office-conference-leo-xiv-pope-elect.html |url-status=live }}

According to Cardinal Fernando Chomalí of Chile, Leo told him that the choice of papal name is based on his concern about the world's cultural shifts, a type of Copernican Revolution involving artificial intelligence and robotics. Chomalí said: "He was inspired by Leo XIII, who amid the Industrial Revolution wrote Rerum novarum launching an important dialogue between the church and the modern world."{{cite news |url=https://www.osvnews.com/chilean-cardinal-gives-insight-to-the-conclave-that-elected-pope-leo-xiv/ |title=Chilean cardinal gives insight to the conclave |first=Ines |last=San Martin |date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=Our Sunday Visitor |access-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509193750/https://www.osvnews.com/chilean-cardinal-gives-insight-to-the-conclave-that-elected-pope-leo-xiv/ |url-status=live }} Leo himself explained that "the church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor."{{cite news |last=Kent |first=Lauren |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Pope Leo signals he will closely follow Francis and says AI represents challenge for humanity |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/10/europe/pope-leo-prevost-cardinals-artificial-intelligence-intl |access-date=May 10, 2025 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510141002/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/10/europe/pope-leo-prevost-cardinals-artificial-intelligence-intl |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Winfield |first=Nicole |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV pledges to pursue the reforms of Pope Francis |url=https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/pope-leo-xiv-pledges-pursue-reforms-pope-francis |access-date=May 10, 2025 |newspaper=National Catholic Reporter |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510150056/https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/pope-leo-xiv-pledges-pursue-reforms-pope-francis |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Wells |first1=Christopher |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Leo XIII's times and our own - Vatican News |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-05/leo-xiii-s-times-and-our-own.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514072306/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-05/leo-xiii-s-times-and-our-own.html |archive-date=May 14, 2025 |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=vaticannews.va |language=en}}

In a May 2023 interview, Prevost stressed the need for prudence and responsibility on using social media to preclude "fueling divisions and controversy" and doing "damage to the communion of the Church." This view is in line with his tendency to speak "with caution and great deliberation", as Christopher White, the Vatican correspondent of the National Catholic Reporter, described him.

The National Catholic Reporter stated that Leo XIV is committed to ecumenism with other Christian denominations.{{cite web |last1=Reese |first1=Thomas |title=Can Pope Leo XIV be a compassionate pastor and a hard-nosed administrator? |url=https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/can-pope-leo-xiv-be-compassionate-pastor-and-hard-nosed-administrator |publisher=National Catholic Reporter |access-date=May 15, 2025 |language=en |date=May 14, 2025 |archive-date=May 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514223933/https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/can-pope-leo-xiv-be-compassionate-pastor-and-hard-nosed-administrator |url-status=live }} At his inauguration, he referenced "sister Christian Churches" and prayed for "a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world."{{cite web |last1=Collins |first1=Charles |title=Pope Leo XIV calls for "unity" during his official inauguration |url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2025/05/pope-leo-xiv-calls-for-unity-during-his-official-inauguration |publisher=Crux |access-date=May 19, 2025 |language=en |date=May 18, 2025}}{{cite web |title=As Pope Leo XIV is inaugurated, WCC celebrates unity of humanity |url=https://www.oikoumene.org/news/as-pope-leo-xiv-is-inaugurated-wcc-celebrates-unity-of-humanity |publisher=World Council of Churches |access-date=May 19, 2025 |language=en |date=May 19, 2025 |archive-date=May 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250520043251/https://www.oikoumene.org/news/as-pope-leo-xiv-is-inaugurated-wcc-celebrates-unity-of-humanity |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Gomes |first1=Jules |title=Pope Leo XIV Drops Papal Supremacy, Urging "Full Communion" with "All Christians" |url=https://stream.org/pope-leo-xiv-drops-papal-supremacy-urging-full-communion-with-all-christians |publisher=The Stream |access-date=May 19, 2025 |date=May 19, 2025 |archive-date=May 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519154639/https://stream.org/pope-leo-xiv-drops-papal-supremacy-urging-full-communion-with-all-christians/ |url-status=live }} Leo XIV's first international trip as pontiff will be to Turkey to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea with other Christians.

The new pope's first message emphasized the greeting of peace of the risen Jesus "who gave his life for God's flock", giving "an unarmed and disarming peace".{{cite web |last=McElwee |first=Joshua |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV's first speech in full as new pontiff declares "evil will not prevail" |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-leo-xiv-first-speech-full-transcription-b2747750.html |access-date=May 10, 2025 |work=The Independent |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509082617/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-leo-xiv-first-speech-full-transcription-b2747750.html |url-status=live }} Leo said he wanted to continue the kerygmatic blessing of Pope Francis: "God cares for you, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail! We are all in God's hands." The themes in his first message included Jesus as light needed by the world, becoming a missionary church through dialogue and openness, fidelity to the Gospel, walking together in synodality, working as a united church for peace and justice, closeness to the suffering, and praying to Mary. Twice he mentioned the need of not having fear, and emphasized God's help to "build bridges" for "all of us to be one people always in peace."

Leo XIV's episcopal motto is {{lang|la|In illo Uno unum}} ("In the One, we are one"). In his first address as pope to the cardinals, Leo declared his "complete commitment" to the ecclesial path traced by the Second Vatican Council. He praised Pope Francis's specification of this path through Evangelii Gaudium, the Joy of the Gospel, and highlighted six "evangelical principles", which he deems as perennial and revelatory of God's mercy: the primacy of Christ in proclamation; the missionary conversion of the entire Christian community; collegiality and synodality; attention to the sensus fidei, the capacity of the whole faithful to sense the faith, especially popular piety; loving care for the least and the rejected; and dialogue with the contemporary world.{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Address of the Holy Father to the College of Cardinals (10 May 2025) {{!}} Leo XIV |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/may/documents/20250510-collegio-cardinalizio.html |access-date=May 12, 2025 |publisher=Vatican.va |archive-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511223244/https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/may/documents/20250510-collegio-cardinalizio.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Bubola |first=Emma |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV Outlines Path for Catholic Church That Follows in Francis' Steps |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/world/europe/leo-xiv-pope-francis-catholic-church.html |access-date=May 12, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511191204/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/world/europe/leo-xiv-pope-francis-catholic-church.html |url-status=live }}

Discussing the ordination of women in October 2023, Prevost stated that the "very significant and long tradition of the church" makes it impossible to consider women as priests and that "the apostolic tradition is something that has been spelled out very clearly." By contrast, he observed that the possibility of women deacons has been the subject of two Vatican commissions, demonstrating "openness to giving consideration" to that question. He also cautioned that the ordination of women as deacons "doesn't necessarily solve a problem" and could create new issues.{{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQxkzHM14Xc |access-date=May 12, 2025 |publisher=Vatican News Service |date=October 25, 2023 |time=57–60 minutes in |title=25 October 2023 Briefing-XVI General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops |via=youtube}}{{cite news |last=Mares |first=Courtney |date=October 26, 2023 |title=Cardinal at Synod on Synodality: "Clericalizing Women" Will Not Solve Problems |url=https://www.ncregister.com/cna/cardinal-at-synod-on-synodality-clericalizing-women-will-not-solve-problems |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508183132/https://www.ncregister.com/cna/cardinal-at-synod-on-synodality-clericalizing-women-will-not-solve-problems |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 12, 2025 |newspaper=National Catholic Register}}{{cite news |website=religionnews.com |access-date=May 12, 2025 |date=May 9, 2025 |url=https://religionnews.com/2025/05/09/will-pope-leo-xiv-be-the-one-who-makes-the-call-on-women-deacons/ |title=Will Pope Leo XIV be the one who makes the call on women deacons? |first=Phyllis |last=Zagano |archive-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511164332/https://religionnews.com/2025/05/09/will-pope-leo-xiv-be-the-one-who-makes-the-call-on-women-deacons/ |url-status=live }} Commenting on Pope Francis's 2023 appointment of three women as members of the Dicastery for Bishops, which he headed, he noted that their perspectives often align with other members but can introduce valuable new viewpoints.{{cite web |last=Tornielli |first=Andrea |date=May 4, 2023 |title=Archbishop Prevost: "The bishop is a pastor, not a manager" |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-05/archbishop-prevost-the-bishop-is-a-pastor-not-a-manager.html |access-date=May 8, 2025 |website=Vatican News}}

As a cardinal, Prevost was a vocal proponent of synodality, one of Pope Francis's signature initiatives. Prevost suggested that the participation and co-responsibility of all the faithful could address the polarization in the church.{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Christopher |title=The first American pope? This cardinal has the best chance of making history in this conclave |url=https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/papal-front-runner-interest-polyglot-us-cardinal-prevost-rises-italian |access-date=May 9, 2025 |newspaper=National Catholic Reporter |date=April 30, 2025 |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509061128/https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/papal-front-runner-interest-polyglot-us-cardinal-prevost-rises-italian |url-status=live}} In May 2023, Prevost said that episcopal leadership should prioritize faith over administration. The first priority is to "communicate the beauty of the faith, the beauty and joy of knowing Jesus."{{cite web |url=https://www.osservatoreromano.va/en/news/2023-05/ing-019/the-bishop-is-a-pastor-not-a-manager.html |title=The bishop is a pastor not a manager |date=May 12, 2023 |last=Tornielli |first=Andrea |publisher=L'Osservatore Romano |access-date=May 8, 2025}} Also in May 2023, Prevost said he has faith that "the Holy Spirit is [...] pushing us towards a renewal." He stated that all the faithful are "called to the great responsibility of living what I call a new attitude," which is "to listen first of all to the Holy Spirit, to what He is asking of the Church."

File:Homily during the inauguration of Leo XIV.jpg

During his service in Peru, Prevost was described as an "impeccable dresser" when it came to celebrating the Mass, wearing full vestments even when summer temperatures rose above 85°F (about 29°C) in Chiclayo.{{Cite news |last=San Martin |first=Ines |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Peruvians claim Pope Leo XIV as a local |url=https://www.osvnews.com/in-boots-during-floods-in-vestments-at-mass-peruvians-claim-leo-xiv-as-a-local/ |access-date=May 11, 2025 |agency=Our Sunday Visitor |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510162255/https://www.osvnews.com/in-boots-during-floods-in-vestments-at-mass-peruvians-claim-leo-xiv-as-a-local/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Beltrán |first=Edgar |title='Great charity and great clarity' - How Pope Leo is remembered in Chiclayo |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/great-charity-and-great-clarity-how |access-date=May 20, 2025 |work=The Pillar |language=en |date=May 20, 2025 |archive-date=May 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250522013004/https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/great-charity-and-great-clarity-how |url-status=live }} In August 2024, speaking to a Chicago-area parish, Prevost stated that "liturgy needs to be beautiful to help us, to strengthen us in our faith."{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Lauretta |date=May 11, 2025 |title=What then-Cardinal Prevost told an Illinois parish about his life, Pope Francis, synodality and more |url=https://www.osvnews.com/what-then-cardinal-prevost-told-an-illinois-parish-about-his-life-pope-francis-synodality-and-more/ |access-date=May 11, 2025 |agency=Our Sunday Visitor |archive-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511022541/https://www.osvnews.com/what-then-cardinal-prevost-told-an-illinois-parish-about-his-life-pope-francis-synodality-and-more/ |url-status=live }} In his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel as pope, he chose to use a papal ferula, or ceremonial staff, made for Benedict XVI and seldom used by Francis.{{Cite web |last=McLellan |first=Justin |date=May 9, 2025 |title=New pope calls for Christian witness in world that finds faith 'absurd' |url=https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/new-pope-calls-christian-witness-world-finds-faith-absurd |access-date=May 11, 2025 |publisher=United States Conference of Catholic Bishops |archive-date=May 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512085907/https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/new-pope-calls-christian-witness-world-finds-faith-absurd |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Coppen |first=Luke |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Leo XIV: Petrine ministry is a cross and a blessing |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/leo-xiv-petrine-ministry-is-a-cross |access-date=May 11, 2025 |website=The Pillar |archive-date=May 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512010256/https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/leo-xiv-petrine-ministry-is-a-cross |url-status=live }} The mozzetta worn after his election, and Benedict's ferula signaled to some a "return to normal" in the Holy See following the Francis papacy.{{Cite web |last=Condon |first=Ed |date=May 12, 2025|title=On Pope Leo's Desk: Fixing Vatican finances |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/on-pope-leos-desk-fixing-vatican |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=The Pillar }}{{cite web | url=https://aleteia.org/2025/05/09/what-was-pope-leos-first-day-like/ | title=What was Pope Leo XIV's first day like? }} However, during his Inauguration Mass in St Peter's Square on May 18, 2025, Leo XIV used the ferula of Pope Paul VI which is most commonly associated with Pope John Paul II, and frequently used by Francis.{{Cite news |last=Livingstone |first=Tess |date=May 18, 2025 |title=Pope Leo's nod to John Paul II |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/pope-leos-nod-to-john-paul-ii/news-story/c526db2f192e69cb35b608fd1a16ff57 |access-date=May 21, 2025 |work=The Australian}}{{Cite web |last=Snow |first=McKenna |date=May 13, 2025 |title=History of the pastoral staff Pope Leo XIV used at his first Sunday Mass as pontiff |url=https://catholicvote.org/history-of-the-pastoral-staff-pope-leo-xiv-used-at-his-first-sunday-mass-as-pontiff/ |access-date=May 21, 2025 |website=CatholicVote org |language=en-US |archive-date=May 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514142706/https://catholicvote.org/history-of-the-pastoral-staff-pope-leo-xiv-used-at-his-first-sunday-mass-as-pontiff/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://angeluspress.org/blogs/blog/the-better-part | title=The Better Part }}{{cite web | url=https://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/pope-francis-back-to-the-crozier-with-crucifix/ | title=Pope Francis: Back to the crosier with crucifix | date=April 8, 2013 }} Pope Leo XIV received another pectoral cross upon his election, which he has been wearing instead of the one he wore during the conclave and his first appearance as pope. This one is silver, with relics of St. Leo the Great, St. Augustine, St. Thomas of Villanova, and Blessed Anselmo Polanco Fontecha.{{cite web | url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/cross-donated-to-pope-leo-contains-relic-of-st-leo-the-great.html | title=Pope Leo XIV's pectoral cross contains a relic of St. Leo the Great - Vatican News | date=May 28, 2025 }} He also chose to restore the custom of the pope himself giving archbishops the pallium, which had been altered by Francis in 2015.{{Cite web |title=Pope Leo Restores An Ancient Tradition (From 42 Years Ago) |url=https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2025/06/pope-leo-restores-ancient-tradition.html |access-date=June 12, 2025}}{{Cite web |date=June 12, 2025 |title=Pope Leo to return to practice of 'imposing' pallium on new archbishops |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/06/12/pope-leo-pallium-archbishops-250903 |access-date=June 12, 2025 |website=America Magazine |language=en}}

Within the context of church politics and theology, Prevost has been seen as a moderate or centrist, neither liberal nor conservative.{{cite news |last1=Livingstone |first1=Helen |last2=Chao-Fong |first2=Léonie |last3=Dunbar |first3=Marina |last4=Krupa |first4=Jakub |date=May 9, 2025 |title=New pope's brother says he is "middle of the road" – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/may/08/new-pope-conclave-vatican-white-black-smoke-papacy-catholic-cardinals |access-date=May 9, 2025 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} In April 2025, the Italian newspaper {{lang|it|la Repubblica}} stated that Prevost was seen as a "cosmopolitan and shy figure" who was "appreciated by conservatives and progressives" within the church.{{cite news |last=Wooden |first=Cindy |date=May 8, 2025 |url=https://www.archgh.org/news-events/news/latest-news/latest-news/chicago-native-cardinal-prevost-elected-pope-takes-name-leo-xiv/ |title=Chicago native Cardinal Prevost elected pope, takes name Leo XIV |agency=Catholic News Service |access-date=May 11, 2025 |via=Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston}}{{efn|The positions of cardinals are difficult to pinpoint in political terms and different labels, more specific to the Church's context like sinodali (supporters of synodality), lealisti (loyalists, the supporters of the reigning pope), and tradizionalisti (traditionalists), are applied. Nonetheless, Prevost was generally seen as a "reformer of the Bergoglian area", not far from other more progressive names like Pietro Parolin and Luis Antonio Tagle, and more moderate than others like Robert Walter McElroy and Matteo Maria Zuppi.{{cite web |last=Biondi |first=Adriano |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Perché non ha senso chiedersi se il nuovo Papa Leone XIV sia di destra o di sinistra |trans-title=Why it makes no sense to ask whether the new Pope Leo XIV is right or left wing |url=https://www.fanpage.it/politica/quindi-il-nuovo-papa-leone-xiv-e-di-destra-o-di-sinistra/ |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=fanpage.it}}}} In line with the church's official positions, Prevost opposes abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage and the death penalty.{{cite news |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Cardenal Prevost en Xn antes de ser papa: apoyo a inmigrantes y críticas recientes a Vance |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2025/05/08/cardenal-prevost-en-xn-antes-de-ser-papa-apoyo-a-inmigrantes-y-criticas-recientes-a-vance/ |access-date=May 10, 2025 |language=es |website=infobae.com}} Prevost expressed reservations about "sympathy for beliefs and practices that contradict the gospel" and did not fully endorse nor reject {{lang|la|Fiducia supplicans}}, a declaration concerning blessings for people in a same-sex relationship. He stated that national bishops' conferences should "interpret and apply such directives in their local contexts, given cultural differences."{{cite news |last1=Morwood |first1=Maddy |last2=Martin |first2=Patrick |last3=Stuart |first3=Riley |date=May 8, 2025 |title=New Pope Leo XIV update: Australian Catholics celebrate Robert Prevost's election by cardinals in conclave — as it happened |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-09/papal-conclave-live-updates-catholic-church-elects-next-pope/105238028 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=ABC News}} In 2012, he criticized popular culture's sympathy for the "homosexual lifestyle" and same-sex families. In April 2016, Prevost opposed the inclusion of "gender ideology" in Peruvian primary school curricula,{{cite news |last=Fernandez |first=Fernando |date=April 12, 2016 |title=Chiclayo: Obispo Prévost en contra de ideología de género |trans-title=Chiclayo: Bishop Prevost opposes gender ideology |url=https://diariocorreo.pe/edicion/lambayeque/chiclayo-obispo-prevost-en-contra-de-ideologia-de-genero-715608/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130002047/https://diariocorreo.pe/edicion/lambayeque/chiclayo-obispo-prevost-en-contra-de-ideologia-de-genero-715608/ |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=Diario Correo |language=es}} stating it promotes "genders that don't exist". When asked in 2023 by Catholic News Service whether his views from 2012 had changed, Prevost said that "many things have changed" and emphasized the church should be more open and welcoming though he cautioned that church doctrine has not changed.{{cite web |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Pope Leo on inclusion in the church |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsS5R6HHS-g |access-date=May 10, 2025 |publisher=Catholic News Service |via=YouTube |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509172248/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsS5R6HHS-g |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Barry |first1=Colleen |last2=Crary |first2=David |last3=Zampano |first3=Giada |date=May 9, 2025 |title=A 2012 video shows comments from new pope that disappoint LGBTQ activists |url=https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-catholic-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-86e0efed01333b52f905bf048f3d5829 |access-date=May 10, 2025 |work=Associated Press News |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510040515/https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-catholic-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-86e0efed01333b52f905bf048f3d5829 |url-status=live }} In May 2025, he said that it was up to governments to build peaceful societies "above all by investing in the family, founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman."{{Cite web |last=Winfield |first=Nicole |date=May 16, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV says family is "between a man and a woman" and asserts the dignity of the unborn |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/pope-leo-xiv-says-family-is-between-a-man-and-a-woman-and-asserts-the-dignity-of-the-unborn |publisher=PBS |access-date=May 16, 2025 |archive-date=May 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516190623/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/pope-leo-xiv-says-family-is-between-a-man-and-a-woman-and-asserts-the-dignity-of-the-unborn |url-status=live }}

During his time in Chiclayo, Prevost remained relatively politically neutral on national issues. However, in the midst of the Peruvian protests in 2023, he stated: "The deaths during the protests cause me great sadness and pain [...] I asked to stay in Peru; I even made that request to the Holy Father. It wasn't the time to leave."{{cite news |date=May 8, 2025 |title=La vida peruana de León XIV en cinco escenas |trans-title=The Peruvian life of Leo XIV in five scenes |url=https://rpp.pe/mundo/actualidad/la-vida-peruana-de-leon-xiv-en-cinco-escenas-noticia-1633445?ref=rpp |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=rpp.pe |language=es |agency=EFE}} He has also expressed support for the plight of Venezuelan refugees in Peru.{{cite news |last=McElwee |first=Joshua |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Prevost, first U.S. pope, supported Francis and shunned spotlight |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/prevost-first-us-pope-supported-francis-shunned-spotlight-2025-05-08/ |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=Reuters}}{{cite news |title=Robert Prevost, cardenal de EE.UU. con nacionalidad peruana, es el nuevo Papa de la Iglesia católica con el nombre León XIV |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/cpqejezdgl7o |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=BBC Mundo |date=May 8, 2025}} With regards to climate change, Prevost has advocated for stronger church action, stating in a November 2024 seminar that "dominion over nature" should not be "tyrannical". On geopolitics, he denounced the Russian invasion of Ukraine, describing it as "a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power",{{cite web |last=Pakhnyuk |first=Lucy |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV condemns Russia's "imperialist" invasion of Ukraine |url=https://kyivindependent.com/pope-leo-xiv-condemns-russias-imperialist-invasion-of-ukraine/ |access-date=May 11, 2025 |publisher=The Kyiv Independent |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510230930/https://kyivindependent.com/pope-leo-xiv-condemns-russias-imperialist-invasion-of-ukraine/ |url-status=live }} and in one of his first major speeches as pope, Leo called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war.{{cite news |last1=Winfield |first1=Nicole |last2=Dell'Orto |first2=Giovanna |title=Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza in symbolically rich blessing on Mother's Day |url=https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-leo-xiv-a16ff59f75260ca8baf5d90890523766 |access-date=May 12, 2025 |work=Associated Press News |date=May 11, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Sorgi |first1=Gregorio |title=Pope Leo XIV's first message to world leaders: End all wars |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/pope-leo-message-world-leaders-end-all-wars-ukraine-russia-india-pakistan-israel-gaza/ |access-date=May 12, 2025 |newspaper=Politico |date=May 11, 2025 |archive-date=May 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512022007/https://www.politico.eu/article/pope-leo-message-world-leaders-end-all-wars-ukraine-russia-india-pakistan-israel-gaza/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Lamche |first1=Anna |last2=Rainsford |first2=Sarah |title=Pope Leo appeals for no more war in first Sunday address |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0r18dp9lxxo |access-date=May 12, 2025 |publisher=BBC |date=May 11, 2025 |archive-date=May 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512041951/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0r18dp9lxxo |url-status=live }} Following the Israeli strikes on Iran in June 2025, he urged Iranian and Israeli authorities to act with "reason".{{Cite news |date=June 14, 2025 |title=Pope Leo appeals for 'reason' amid Israel-Iran airstrikes, calls for dialogue |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-leo-appeals-reason-amid-israel-iran-airstrikes-calls-dialogue-2025-06-14/ |work=Reuters |access-date=June 14, 2025}}

Throughout his time as a bishop and as a cardinal, Prevost continued to vote in both state and federal elections in the United States, being a registered voter in Will County, Illinois. Illinois election law does not require voters to register by political party, thus Prevost has never officially declared any affiliation to a political party.{{Cite web |last1=Abels |first1=Grace |last2=Sherman |first2=Amy |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Fact check: Is the new Pope registered to vote as a Republican? |url=https://www.wral.com/story/fact-check-is-the-new-pope-registered-to-vote-as-a-republican/21999903/ |access-date=June 8, 2025 |website=WRAL}} The elections Prevost has voted in include the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, the Democratic primary for the 2010 Illinois gubernatorial election, the 2012 Republican presidential primary, the Republican primary for the 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election, the 2016 Republican presidential primary, and the 2024 United States general election.{{cite web |last=Ott |first=Haley |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Who is the new pope? American Cardinal Robert Prevost becomes Pope Leo XIV |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-pope-robert-prevost-pope-leo-xiv/ |access-date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=CBS News}}{{cite news |last=Kaur |first=Anumita |date=May 8, 2025 |title=What we know about Pope Leo XIV's political and social views |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-views-political-robert-prevost/ |url-access=limited |access-date=May 8, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite web |last=Navarro |first=Aaron |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV voted in 2024 U.S. general election — here's which primaries he's voted in |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-leo-robert-prevost-voting-records-republican-democratic-primaries/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509042016/https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/pope-leo-robert-prevost-voting-records-republican-democratic-primaries/ |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=CBS News}}

On the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Prevost's former account retweeted posts critical of US immigration policies under President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.{{cite magazine |last=Ferguson |first=Malcolm |date=May 8, 2025 |title=The New Pope Doesn't Seem to Be a Huge Fan of Trump or JD Vance |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/195020/new-pope-robert-prevost-trump-jd-vance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250508193638/https://newrepublic.com/post/195020/new-pope-robert-prevost-trump-jd-vance |archive-date=May 8, 2025 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |magazine=The New Republic}} He has also expressed support for COVID-19 vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic and sympathy for George Floyd and protesters. His X account which he used prior to his election as pope has since been deleted and he is currently using the official @Pontifex handle, inherited from Popes Francis and Benedict.{{Cite web |title=Leo XIV launches Instagram account, inherits @Pontifex |url=https://aleteia.org/2025/05/14/leo-xiv-launches-instagram-account-inherits-pontifex |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture |language=en |archive-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515061303/https://aleteia.org/2025/05/14/leo-xiv-launches-instagram-account-inherits-pontifex |url-status=live }}

In his Pentecost homily soon after his election as Pope, Leo criticized the "exclusionary mindset" displayed by various nationalist movements. The Holy Spirit "breaks down barriers and tears down the walls of indifference and hatred", he said. To Leo, areas advertized as "security zones" had the effect of "separating us from our neighbors" and spreading "prejudice". He proclaimed that the Church needed to "open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race."{{Cite web |title=Pope Leo criticises 'exclusionary mindset' of nationalist political movements |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/08/pope-leo-criticises-exclusionary-mindset-of-nationalist-political-movements |access-date=June 8, 2025 |agency=Reuters |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=June 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608102203/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/08/pope-leo-criticises-exclusionary-mindset-of-nationalist-political-movements |url-status=live }} Leo additionally condemned femicide during the homily, calling it both painful and tragic and attributing it to "an unhealthy desire for domination."{{cite news |title=Pope Leo condemns 'exclusionary mindset' in Pentecost address |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10504687 |access-date=June 19, 2025 |work=The Korea Herald |date=June 9, 2025 |ref=Korea Herald 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250619045924/https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10504687 |archive-date=June 19, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Elise Ann |title=At one month, Pope Leo XIV employs unique style of continuity, balance |url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2025/06/at-one-month-pope-leo-xiv-employs-unique-style-of-continuity-balance |access-date=June 19, 2025 |work=Crux |date=June 9, 2025 |ref=Allen 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250610085533/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2025/06/at-one-month-pope-leo-xiv-employs-unique-style-of-continuity-balance |archive-date=June 10, 2025 |url-status=live}}

In addition to his native language of English, Leo speaks Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, along with some German. He can also read Latin.{{Cite news |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Das Leben von Papst Leo XIV {{!}} Er spricht Deutsch, spielt Tennis, genießt Ceviche |trans-title=The life of Pope Leo XIV {{!}} He speaks German, plays tennis, and enjoys ceviche |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/panorama/papst-leo-xiv-portrait-peru-100.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510110518/https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/panorama/papst-leo-xiv-portrait-peru-100.html |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |access-date=May 10, 2025 |publisher=ZDF |language=de}}{{Cite news |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Der neue Papst spricht Deutsch – was über Leo XIV. bekannt ist |trans-title=The new pope speaks German – everything that is known about Leo XIV |url=https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article256091372/Leo-XIV-Der-neue-Papst-spricht-Deutsch-was-ueber-Leo-XIV-bekannt-ist.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509181545/https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article256091372/Leo-XIV-Der-neue-Papst-spricht-Deutsch-was-ueber-Leo-XIV-bekannt-ist.html |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |access-date=May 10, 2025 |newspaper=Die Welt |language=de}} During his time in Peru, Leo learned a little of one of the Quechuan languages.{{Cite news |last=Molina |first=Federico Rivas |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Prevost, el Papa "peruano": misionero y político |trans-title=Prevost, the "Peruvian" Pope: missionary and politician |url=https://elpais.com/america/2025-05-10/prevost-el-papa-peruano-misionero-y-politico.html |access-date=May 11, 2025 |publisher=El País |language=es |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510121013/https://elpais.com/america/2025-05-10/prevost-el-papa-peruano-misionero-y-politico.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Talledo |first=Valeria Mendoza |date=May 9, 2025 |title=¿Papa León XIV aprendió quechua en Perú? Cardenal de Estados Unidos revela que Robert Prevost intentó dominar la lengua milenaria |trans-title=Did Pope Leo XIV learn Quechua in Peru? A US cardinal reveals that Robert Prevost tried to master the ancient language. |url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/2025/05/09/papa-leon-xiv-aprendio-quechua-en-peru-cardenal-de-estados-unidos-revela-que-robert-prevost-intento-dominar-la-lengua-milenaria/ |access-date=May 11, 2025 |website=infobae.com |language=es |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510183020/https://www.infobae.com/peru/2025/05/09/papa-leon-xiv-aprendio-quechua-en-peru-cardenal-de-estados-unidos-revela-que-robert-prevost-intento-dominar-la-lengua-milenaria/ |url-status=live }} He has described himself as "quite the amateur tennis player".{{cite news |access-date=May 11, 2025 |url=https://cruxnow.com/ap/2025/05/pope-leo-xiv-is-a-tennis-player-tsitsipas-would-be-happy-to-hit-some-balls-with-him |date=May 11, 2025 |title=Pope Leo XIV is a tennis player. Tsitsipas would be happy to hit some balls with him |agency=Associated Press |first=Andrew |last=Dampf}} He regularly plays Wordle and Words with Friends with his brothers.{{Cite web |last=Meyer |first=Holly |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Wordle, White Sox and more: Fast facts about Pope Leo XIV |url=https://apnews.com/article/vatican-new-pope-leo-xiv-facts-chicago-peru-fe9e955bfc5c683311575b1b3cf079f5 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |work=Associated Press News}}{{Cite web |last=Weisholtz |first=Drew |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Pope's brother says they regularly do Wordle and shares more personal details about his life |url=https://www.today.com/news/robert-prevost-pope-leo-xiv-brother-interview-wordle-white-sox-rcna205779 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |publisher=Today |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510161330/https://www.today.com/news/robert-prevost-pope-leo-xiv-brother-interview-wordle-white-sox-rcna205779 |url-status=live }}

Leo is a lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball,{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/pope-leo-xiv-chicago-native-rocks-white-sox-hat-during-vatican-appearance/ | title=Pope Leo XIV, Chicago native, rocks White Sox hat during Vatican appearance }}{{cite news |last=Lutz |first=BJ |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Brother answers burning question: Is Pope Leo XIV a Chicago White Sox or Cubs fan? |url=https://wgntv.com/news/pope-leo/robert-prevost-pope-leo-xiv-chicago-cubs-sox/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509061035/https://wgntv.com/news/pope-leo/robert-prevost-pope-leo-xiv-chicago-cubs-sox/ |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |access-date=May 9, 2025 |publisher=WGN-TV}}{{cite web |last1=Washburn |first1=Kaitlin |title=Chicago high school cheers White Sox fan Pope Leo XIV — "He's one of us" |publisher=Chicago Sun-Times |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-robert-prevost-st-rita-high-school-chicago |website=chicago.suntimes.com |access-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510211251/https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-robert-prevost-st-rita-high-school-chicago |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |date=May 9, 2025 |url-status=live}} and was in attendance at US Cellular Field (now known as Rate Field) for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series.{{cite news |last1=Marzano |first1=Peter |title=Broadcast of 2005 World Series in Chicago shows Pope Leo XIV in attendance |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/broadcast-of-2005-world-series-in-chicago-shows-pope-leo-xiv-in-attendance/3742500/ |publisher=WMAQ-TV |access-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510211628/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/broadcast-of-2005-world-series-in-chicago-shows-pope-leo-xiv-in-attendance/3742500/ |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |date=May 9, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Waldstein |first1=David |title=A Pope Who Ministers to the Suffering? Yup, He's a White Sox Fan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/us/pope-white-sox-cubs.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=May 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250510091156/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/us/pope-white-sox-cubs.html |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |date=May 10, 2025 |quote=While living in Rome in 2005, he managed to make it to Game 1 of the World Series in Chicago. He was even spotted in the stands during the national television broadcast. |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}{{Cite web |last1=Tenenbaum |first1=Sara |last2=Harrington Web |first2=Adam |date=May 19, 2025 |title=White Sox to mark Pope Leo XIV's seat at 2005 World Series game |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/white-sox-pope-leo-xivs-seat-2005-world-series-game/ |access-date=May 31, 2025 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}} His support for Chicago sports also extends to the National Football League's Chicago Bears; United States vice-president JD Vance presented him with a custom Bears jersey following his papal inauguration, which Leo remarked was a "good choice".{{cite news |last1=Finley |first1=Patrick |last2=Esposito |first2=Stefano|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/05/19/bears-jd-vance-pope-leo-xiv-jersey-rome-monday-vice-president-robert-prevost-nfl|title='Good choice' — JD Vance brings Pope Leo XIV a Bears jersey |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=May 19, 2025 |access-date=May 19, 2025}} He has also shown support for Villanova University athletics, especially the Villanova Wildcats men's basketball team.{{Cite web |last=Cwik |first=Chris |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Inside Pope Leo XIV's surprising sports fandom: What we know about new pope's support of Villanova basketball, Chicago White Sox |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/article/inside-pope-leo-xivs-surprising-sports-fandom-what-we-know-about-new-popes-support-of-villanova-basketball-chicago-white-sox-195819199.html |access-date=May 10, 2025 |website=sports.yahoo.com |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509053254/https://sports.yahoo.com/article/inside-pope-leo-xivs-surprising-sports-fandom-what-we-know-about-new-popes-support-of-villanova-basketball-chicago-white-sox-195819199.html |url-status=live }}

As a teenager, he enjoyed driving recreationally. Throughout his life, he has frequently preferred driving long distances for journeys where most people prefer to fly, such as from Philadelphia to Chicago, Brisbane to Sydney, and Chiclayo to Lima. He also repaired cars himself as a bishop in Chiclayo.{{Cite web |last=Winfield |first=Nicole |date=June 6, 2025 |title=Can an American pope apply US-style fundraising and standards to fix troubled Vatican finances? |url=https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-leo-finance-donations-0daf975d09f477bd6f7f03eb8b737d6a |access-date=June 12, 2025 |website=apnews.com}}

Leo has been reported to have "a very disciplined prayer life." During his time as bishop of Chiclayo, aside from daily Mass celebrated at 8 p.m. to ensure a clear mind, Prevost had periods of prayer at the beginning of the day and before dinner. He prayed lauds in the morning at the Cathedral and the Rosary with his priest colleagues around noon.

{{Main|Coat of arms of Pope Leo XIV}}

{{Further|Papal coats of arms}}

{{Emblem table

| image = Insigne Leonis XIV.svg

| adopted = May 8, 2025

| helm = 35px Bishop's mitre

| escutcheon = Per bend sinister azure and argent, in the first, a fleur-de-lis argent, in the second, a heart enflamed pierced by an arrow bendwise sinister, all gules, upon a book proper.{{cite news |date=May 14, 2025 |first=Antonio |last=Pompili |title=The coat of arms of Pope Leo XIV: Explanation |language=it |publisher=Holy See Press Office |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2025/05/14/0315/00540.html |access-date=May 14, 2025 |archive-date=May 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514122735/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2025/05/14/0315/00540.html |url-status=live }}

| motto = {{langnf|la|IN ILLO UNO UNUM|In the One, [we are] one}}

| other_elements = Keys of Peter behind the shield and papal mantling

| symbolism = {{it col|Fleur-de-lis}} Associated with the Virgin Mary, symbolizing purity and innocence.

:{{it col|Augustinian emblem}} Emblem of the Order of Saint Augustine, in reference to Leo XIV being a member of the Augustinian Order. This charge displays a red heart pierced by an arrow and resting on a closed book.

}}

• Family of Pope Leo XIV
• Pope Leo XIV bibliography
• Cardinals created by Francis
• List of popes by country

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Sister project links |auto=yes |d=yes}}

• [https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en.html Vatican webpage about Pope Leo XIV]
• {{C-SPAN|144463}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-rel|ca}}

{{s-bef|before={{ill|Agostino Trapè|it}}}}

{{s-ttl|title=Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine|years=September 14, 2001 – September 4, 2013}}

{{s-aft|after={{ill|Alejandro Moral Antón|pt}}}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Ernst Gutting}}

{{s-tul|title=Bishop of Sufar|years=December 12, 2014 – September 26, 2015}}

{{s-aft|after=Robert P. Reed}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Jesús Moliné Labarte}}

{{s-ttl|title=Bishop of Chiclayo|years=September 26, 2015 – January 30, 2023}}

{{s-aft|after=Edinson Edgardo Farfán Córdova}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Marc Ouellet|rows=2}}

{{s-ttl|title=Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops|years=January 30, 2023 – May 8, 2025}}

{{s-non|reason=Vacant|rows=3}}

|-

{{s-ttl|title=President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America|years=January 30, 2023 – May 8, 2025}}

|-

{{s-new}}

{{s-ttl|title=Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Monica|years=September 30, 2023 – February 6, 2025}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Angelo Sodano}}

{{s-ttl|title=Cardinal-Bishop of Albano|years=February 6 – May 8, 2025}}

{{s-aft|after=Luis Antonio Tagle}}

{{S-bef|before=Francis}}

{{s-ttl|title=Pope|years=May 8, 2025 – present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-end}}

{{Pope Leo XIV}}

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