*Papal Identity*

Papal Name: Pope Leo XIV

Date of Election: 8 May 2025

Predecessor: Pope Francis

*Distinction:*

First Pope born in the United States

First North American Pope

*Personal Background*

Birth Name: Robert Francis Prevost

Date of Birth: September 14, 1955

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Citizenship: Peruvian-American (Naturalized Peruvian citizen in 2015)

*Education*

B.Sc. in Mathematics – Villanova University (1977)

Master of Divinity – Catholic Theological Union, Chicago (1982)

Licentiate & Doctorate in Canon Law – Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome (1984, 1987)

Religious Order

*Order of St. Augustine (OSA)*

First Vows: 1978

Solemn Vows: 1981

Ordination: June 19, 1982 (by Archbishop Jean Jadot)

*Leadership Roles*

Missionary & Educator in Peru (1985–1998): Parish pastor, seminary rector, canon law teacher

Provincial of Augustinian Province of Chicago (1999)

Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine (2001–2013) – Two terms

Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2015–2023)

Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (2023–2025)

Cardinal-Deacon & Cardinal-Bishop (2023, 2025 respectively)

*Controversies*

Criticized for his handling of clergy abuse cases, particularly:

Permitting a credibly accused priest (Fr. James Ray) to live near a school without informing authorities

SNAP alleged mismanagement of abuse cases involving Richard McGrath in Peru

*Papal Significance*

Seen as papabile due to his position overseeing bishop appointments

Known for combining pastoral experience, canonical expertise, and multicultural fluency, particularly between North and South America