Leo XIV is the latest Pope and Bishop of Rome. Born Robert Prevost, Pope Leo XIV has made history as the first American to lead the Catholic Church as pontiff. Born Robert Prevost in Chicago, Illinois in 1955, he became the 267th Pope and Bishop of Rome.
Prior to his election, Cardinal Prevost served as the head of the church’s Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful position that oversees the selection of new bishops throughout the Catholic world. While generally considered a centrist, Pope Leo XIV has demonstrated progressive tendencies on many social issues, embracing marginalized groups in a manner reminiscent of his predecessor Pope Francis, who championed migrants and the poor.
His first words as Pope was:
“We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us,” he said.
“United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together,”.
How Old was Pope Leo XIV?
Pope Leo XIV is currently 69 years old.
What Languages Can Pope Leo XIV Speak?
Pope Leo XIV can speak 5 languages fluently. They are Spanish, Italian, French, English and Portuguese. He can also read German and Latin. His mother tongue is English.
Background
Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, Robert Prevost’s spiritual journey began early. As a young boy in the diverse neighborhoods of the Windy City, he first discovered his calling while serving as an altar boy at his local parish.
His dedication to faith bloomed into formal study at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago, followed by theological immersion in Rome, culminating in his ordination as a priest in 1982. Although Peru became his spiritual home three years later, where he worked tirelessly as a missionary, Prevost maintained deep ties to his American roots, returning regularly to serve as both pastor and prior in the city that shaped him.
This unique dual heritage would ultimately prepare him for his historic role as the bridge between two continents in the Catholic Church.
Facts About Pope Leo XIV
#1 – Pope Leo XIV is the very first American Pope.
#2 – He was born in Chicago, USA in 1955
#3 – He is the first pope in over 800 years to come from an English-speaking country. The last Pope to do so was Adrian IV
#4 – He was made a cardinal in 2023 by Pope Francis.
#5 – He is the seventh Augustinian pope, and the first since Eugene IV in 1447
All Popes Named “Leo”
Leo I (St.) (#45) (the Great) (440 – 461)
Leo II (St.) (#80) (682 – 683)
Leo III (St.) (#97) (795 – 816)
Leo IV (St.) (#104) (847 – 855)
Leo V (#119) (903 – 904)
Leo VI (#124) (928)
Leo VII (#127) (936 – 939)
Leo VIII (#132) (963 – 964)
Leo IX (St.) (#153) (1049 – 1054)
Leo X (#218) (1513 – 1521)
Leo XI (#233) (1605)
Leo XII (#253) (1823 – 1829)
Leo XIII (#257) (1878 – 1903)
Leo XIV (#267) (2025 – )
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Pope Leo XIV is the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church, elected on 8 May 2025. Born Robert Francis Prevost on 14 September 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, he is the first American to serve as Pope. Before his election, he served as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and was an Augustinian friar. He chose the name Leo in honour of Pope Leo XIII, who was known for his social encyclicals and his engagement with the modern world. His election came just weeks after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday 2025.
Is Pope Leo XIV the first American Pope?
Yes, Pope Leo XIV is the first Pope from the United States of America. Born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, he became the first citizen of the United States to lead the Catholic Church when he was elected on 8 May 2025. While he spent much of his career in Latin America as an Augustinian missionary, particularly in Peru, his American nationality marked a significant shift in the geography of the papacy. Prior to his election, no Pope had come from North America in the entire 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.
How old was Pope Leo XIV when elected?
Pope Leo XIV was 69 years old when elected Pope on 8 May 2025, having been born on 14 September 1955. This placed him at a moderate age for a papal election by modern standards. For comparison, Pope Francis was 76 when elected in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI was 78 in 2005, and Pope John Paul II was 58 in 1978. Leo XIV’s relatively younger age at election suggested the possibility of a longer pontificate, and his background as an Augustinian friar with extensive experience in both the Roman Curia and missionary work in Latin America brought a unique combination of administrative and pastoral experience to the role.
Written by Robert Patterson, M.A.
Robert holds a Master's degree in Religious Studies with a focus on Catholic Church History. He has spent over two decades researching the lives of the Popes and the history of the Papacy. PopeHistory.com has been a trusted resource for papal information since 2001.
