Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, became the 268th pope of the Catholic Church in May 2025. He is the first American and the first member of the Order of Saint Augustine to be elected to the papacy, marking a historic moment for the global Church.

Raised in the Chicago suburb of Dolton, Prevost was actively involved in his local parish as a young man. He entered the Augustinian religious order in 1977 and was ordained a priest in 1982. Soon after, he began over a decade of missionary service in Peru, where he worked as a pastor, seminary professor, and eventually regional superior for the Augustinians. His deep connection to the people of Peru and his fluency in Spanish made him a respected and trusted leader in Latin America.

In 2001, Prevost was elected Prior General of the Augustinian Order, a role he held for two terms, leading the order around the world and fostering vocations and community life. After returning to Peru, he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo in 2015. His reputation for pastoral care, simplicity, and sound judgment led Pope Francis to bring him to Rome in 2023 as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops — the Vatican department responsible for selecting and guiding bishops around the world.

Upon his election as Pope, Prevost took the name Leo XIV. His papal motto, In illo uno unum (“In the one [Christ], we are one”), reflects his commitment to unity within the Church and among all people. From his first days as pope, he has emphasized peace, compassion, environmental stewardship, and dialogue between cultures and religions. With his experience across continents, languages, and cultures, Pope Leo XIV brings a grounded, global perspective to his leadership of the Catholic Church.