Pope Leo XIV makes his first appearance from the central balcony of the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica on May 8.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images Pope Leo’s life in picturesUpdated 5:56 AM EDT, Sat May 10, 2025
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost — now known as Pope Leo XIV — has been elected as the first-ever pontiff from the United States.
Leo, born in Chicago in 1955, served over a decade as a missionary in Trujillo, Peru, and then led the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2014 to 2023. He most recently served as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican office charged with recommending new bishop appointments.
The papal name of Leo is seen as a reflection of his commitment to the poor. The last pope to take the name Leo, Pope Leo XIII who served from 1878 to 1903, had a strong emphasis on workers’ rights and Catholic social doctrine.
Leo is also the first pope of the Augustinian order, a global order named for St. Augustine. Speaking from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in his first address as pope, Leo quoted Augustine: “For you, I am a bishop, with you, after all, I am a Christian.”
Pope Leo was born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago on September 14, 1955. He's seen here on the left with his mother, Mildred, and his brothers John and Louis.
Courtesy John PrevostLeo is standing, fourth from left, in this classroom photo from St. Mary’s School of the Assumption in Chicago in 1962.
St. Mary of the Assumption SchoolLeo blesses his mother after being ordained as a priest.
courtesy John PrevostLeo earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and went on to receive his diploma in theology from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. Leo was eventually sent to Rome to study canon law. Later in his career, he taught canon law in the seminary in Trujillo, Peru.
Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good CounselLeo poses for a photo with his niece in this undated photo.
courtesy John PrevostLeo, seen here in this undated picture with Pope John Paul II, was ordained as a priest in June 1982, at the Augustinian College of Saint Monica. In the years following his ordination, Leo spent time in Chulucanas, in Peru's Piura region, and Olympia Fields, Illinois, before joining the mission in Trujillo, Peru.
Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good CounselAn undated portrait of Leo, the first pope from the Order of St. Augustine.
Orden de San AgustinLeo meets with Pope Benedict XVI in this undated photo.
Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good CounselLeo spent many years as a missionary in South America. “I still consider myself a missionary. My vocation, like that of every Christian, is to be a missionary, to proclaim the Gospel wherever one is,” Leo said in 2023, shortly after assuming a leadership position in Rome.
Villanova UniversityLeo embraces Pope Francis, the man he would eventually succeed, during a meeting Francis held with Augustinian priests in Rome in August 2013.
CPP/Polaris/NewscomLeo sits next to Francis during their meeting in August 2013.
CPP/Polaris/NewscomLeo preaches during a Corpus Christi celebration in Chiclayo, Peru, in June 2015.
Julio Reano/APLeo in Chiclayo, Peru, in 2015. He obtained Peruvian citizenship in August of that year.
Estefanny Varillas Saavedra/NewscomLeo blesses a woman during a Mass in Motupe, Peru, in 2020.
Cruz de Motupe Brotherhood/APLeo blesses a member of the clergy during a Mass in Chiclayo in 2021.
Cruz de Motupe Brotherhood/APFrancis appoints Leo a cardinal at St. Peter's Square in 2023.
Vatican Media/Getty ImagesLeo arrives at St. Peter's Square for his appointment as cardinal in 2023. At right is Claudio Gugerotti, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, who was also made a cardinal that day.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty ImagesLeo attends an event in New Lenox, Illinois, in 2024.
Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good CounselLeo leads an anniversary celebration of the diocese in Chulucanas, Peru, in 2024.
Diocese of Chulucanas/APLeo, center, poses with Augustinian priests, from left, Tom McCarthy, Bernie Scianna, Anthony B. Pizzo and Jack Tierney.
Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good CounselThis undated photo shows Leo during his time as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. During his tenure, he was elected second vice-president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference and served as president of its Commission for Culture and Education.
Conferencia Episcopal PeruanaLeo, third from right, poses with members of the clergy in Chulucanas, Peru, in 2024.
Diocese of Chulucanas/APPope Francis greets Leo during a Mass at St. Peter's Square in February 2025.
Franco Origlia/Getty ImagesLeo leads the recitation of the Holy Rosary for Pope Francis' health during Francis' extended stay in the hospital in March 2025.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/APLeo attends the funeral of Pope Francis in April 2025.
Franco Origlia/Getty ImagesLeo makes his first appearance as pope on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in May 2025.
Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesThe day after his election, Leo concelebrates Mass with the College of Cardinals inside the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.
Vatican Media/APLeo leaves the Sistine Chapel after concelebrating Mass.
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