The election of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, as the first American pope marks a historic moment for the Catholic Church. Yet, to define him solely by his Chicago roots would be to overlook the rich tapestry of his life, which spans continents and cultures.
From the South Side of Chicago to the mission fields of Peru, the historic streets of New Orleans, and the ancient halls of the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV embodies the spirit of a global citizen. His journey reflects a deep commitment to unity, service, and social justice—values that have shaped his pastoral and leadership roles over decades.
Born in 1955 in Chicago, Prevost was raised in a Catholic family with Creole ancestry tracing back to New Orleans. His maternal great-grandmother was baptized in 1840 at St. Louis Cathedral, reflecting the deep cultural and spiritual ties his family shares with the vibrant Creole community. In Chicago, Prevost was shaped by the city’s diverse religious landscape. He served as an altar boy at St. Mary of the Assumption Church and later attended the Catholic Theological Union. A brother recalls him “playing priest” as a child—an early glimpse into the vocation that would carry him far beyond Illinois. Still, Chicago’s values of community and resilience remain evident in his approachable, down-to-earth demeanor, with friends noting he’s the kind of person you’d enjoy sharing a beer with.
Prevost’s worldview was broadened significantly during his time in Peru, where he spent over twenty years as an Augustinian missionary. Arriving in 1985, he immersed himself in the lives of the poor and marginalized, earning the affectionate name “Padre Roberto.” From leading the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo to serving as bishop of Chiclayo, he championed causes like housing and childcare for communities vulnerable to flooding, living out a commitment to social justice inspired by the legacy of liberation theology. He became a naturalized Peruvian citizen in 2015, and his fluency in Spanish and deep cultural integration led him to describe Peru as his “segunda patria.” In Lima, Peruvians celebrated his papal election with pride.
Rome later became the center of his ecclesiastical leadership. Appointed by Pope Francis in 2023 to lead the Dicastery for Bishops, Prevost was entrusted with overseeing the selection of bishops across the globe. He quickly earned a reputation as a bridge-builder, adept at navigating the tensions between progressive and conservative elements in the Church.
His choice of the papal name Leo XIV, a nod to Pope Leo XIII’s commitment to Catholic social teaching, suggests his focus on modern global challenges, including artificial intelligence, economic inequality, and labor justice in the digital age. In his first address from St. Peter’s Basilica, delivered in both Italian and Spanish, Pope Leo emphasized a vision for a “missionary church” that welcomes all people, a vision rooted in the inclusive spirit of his international ministry.
Though New Orleans played a less central role in his personal journey, it remains a meaningful part of his heritage. His Creole roots, with ancestors recorded as Black in the 1900 census, connect him to a community that has long navigated complex intersections of race, faith, and culture.
Pope Leo XIV defies easy categorization. He is a son of Chicago with a love for the White Sox, a Peruvian citizen who once waded through floodwaters to serve the poor, a Vatican leader fluent in five languages, and a descendant of New Orleans’ Creole tradition. His election signals a Church that is increasingly global in its identity and outlook—one that builds bridges across differences rather than retreating into division.
As Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami described him, Pope Leo is a “global citizen” uniquely positioned to “hold back the barbarians” in an increasingly fractured world. His papacy, grounded in dialogue and charity, offers a message of hope for a Church—and a world—in search of unity amid diversity.