A Look at the Life and Career of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, brings a wealth of diverse experiences to the papacy. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 1955, his early life was rooted in the American Midwest. He pursued higher education at Villanova University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1977, before joining the Order of Saint Augustine (Augustinians) that same year. His theological studies continued at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he received a Master of Divinity in 1982. Later, he earned both a licentiate and a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. His doctoral thesis focused on “The role of the local prior in the Order of Saint Augustine.”  

A significant portion of Cardinal Prevost’s career has been dedicated to missionary work and leadership in Peru. He first joined the Augustinian mission there in 1985. Over the years, his roles in Peru were extensive and varied, including serving as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas, heading the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, teaching canon law in the diocesan seminary, and serving as a judicial vicar. His deep connection to the country was solidified when he became a naturalized citizen of Peru in 2015.  

His leadership within the Augustinian Order was recognized globally when he was elected Prior General of the Augustinians worldwide in 2001, a position he held for two six-year terms, until 2013. This role placed him at the head of the historic order founded by St. Augustine, with its headquarters in Rome, providing him with extensive international administrative experience.  

In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, and he was consecrated Bishop of Chiclayo in September 2015. During his tenure in Peru, he also served as second vice-president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference.  

His return to Rome in a prominent Vatican role came in January 2023, when Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. This highly influential position involves overseeing the process of identifying and recommending candidates for bishop appointments around the world. Simultaneously, he was named President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He was created a Cardinal by Pope Francis on September 30, 2023.  

Throughout his career, Cardinal Prevost has been described as a figure who bridges cultural divides, given his American roots and extensive experience in Latin America. He is fluent in Spanish and Italian. Some reports note his reputation as a moderate. Like many church leaders, his record has faced scrutiny, including how he handled some abuse complaints, though reports also indicate that his conduct in these cases has been defended by multiple parties. His leadership of the Dicastery for Bishops involved him in Pope Francis’s reforms, including the addition of women to the voting bloc for bishop nominations.  

The Legacy of the Papal Name “Leo”

The choice of a papal name is significant, often reflecting a new pope’s aspirations, theological leanings, or a desire to honor predecessors who embodied particular virtues or tackled specific challenges. The name “Leo,” meaning “lion,” has been chosen by thirteen previous popes, several of whom left an indelible mark on the history of the Catholic Church. Five Popes named Leo have been canonized as saints.  

Notable Popes who bore the name Leo include:

• Pope St. Leo I (the Great) (440-461): One of only three popes to be called “the Great,” Leo I is renowned for his strong defense of orthodox Christology, particularly through his “Tome of Leo,” which was foundational to the Council of Chalcedon’s definition of Christ as having two natures (divine and human) in one person. He is also famously remembered for meeting Attila the Hun in 452 and persuading him to turn back from his invasion of Italy, an act often depicted as saving Rome. His papacy is associated with strengthening the authority of the See of Peter. He is also a Doctor of the Church.  
• Pope St. Leo III (795-816): Best known for crowning Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day in 800. This pivotal event had long-lasting implications for the relationship between the papacy and secular rulers in Western Europe, solidifying the Church’s role in the political sphere of the era.  
• Pope St. Leo IV (847-855): Remembered for his efforts to defend Rome against Saracen attacks, including the construction of the Leonine Wall around the Vatican.  
• Pope St. Leo IX (1049-1054): A significant reforming pope who tackled issues such as simony (the buying or selling of church offices) and clerical marriage. He traveled extensively, promoting papal authority and reform, and his pontificate is often seen as a precursor to the Gregorian Reforms. His papacy also coincided with the Great Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches in 1054.
• Pope Leo X (1513-1521): Born Giovanni de’ Medici, Leo X was a Renaissance pope known for his patronage of the arts. However, his papacy is also critically associated with the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, particularly his handling of Martin Luther and the sale of indulgences to fund the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica.  
• Pope Leo XI (1605): His papacy was one of the shortest in history, lasting less than a month.  
• Pope Leo XII (1823-1829): His pontificate occurred during a period of political and social upheaval in Europe, and he was known for his conservative policies.
• Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903): Reigning for over 25 years, Leo XIII is one of the most influential modern popes. He is celebrated for his landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum (1891), which addressed the condition of the working classes and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching. He sought to engage with the modern world, promoted the study of St. Thomas Aquinas, and opened the Vatican Archives to scholars.  

The name Leo evokes themes of strong leadership, theological defense and articulation of the faith, courage in the face of adversity, a willingness to engage with the contemporary challenges of the world, and, in some instances, significant efforts toward reform and renewal within the Church.

None of this, of course, can tell us exactly how Pope Leo XIV will administer his new responsibilities. We, along with the rest of the world, will watch and wonder.