10 Things You Didn’t Know About Pope Leo XIV, the First American Pope

History was made connected Wednesday, May 7, 2025, erstwhile Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States was elected arsenic the caller pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Now known arsenic Pope Leo XIV, helium becomes the archetypal American to ascend to the papacy.

While galore astir the satellite observe his election, fewer cognize overmuch astir the antheral down the name. Here are 10 absorbing facts astir the recently elected pope.

1. He was calved successful Chicago, Illinois
Robert Francis Prevost was calved connected September 14, 1955, successful Chicago, a metropolis known for its divers Catholic communities.

2. He’s a subordinate of the Augustinian Order
Before becoming a bishop, Prevost was a friar successful the Order of St. Augustine—one of the oldest spiritual orders successful the Catholic Church.

3. He was a missionary successful Peru for galore years
Pope Leo XIV spent implicit a decennary successful Peru, wherever helium served successful pastoral work, trained priests, and led Augustinian communities successful distant areas.

4. He speaks aggregate languages
In summation to English and Spanish, helium besides speaks Italian and Latin, making him well-equipped to pb the Church’s planetary community.

5. He was appointed by Pope Francis
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost arsenic the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a cardinal relation that oversees the assignment of bishops worldwide.

6. He is known for humility and simplicity
Those who person worked intimately with him picture him arsenic soft-spoken, profoundly spiritual, and a antheral of the people.

7. He has world credentials
He holds a Doctorate successful Canon Law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas successful Rome.

8. He was not a favourite astatine the commencement of the conclave
Though respected, Prevost was considered an outsider. His predetermination amazed galore analysts, showing the Holy Spirit tin enactment successful unexpected ways.

9. He chose the sanction ‘Leo XIV’ to honour a past reformer pope
His papal sanction is simply a motion to Pope Leo XIII, a societal reformer who emphasized justice, workers’ rights, and modern engagement with society.

10. He’s committed to planetary unity successful the Church
As the archetypal American pope, Pope Leo XIV has spoken of gathering bridges crossed cultures, listening to section churches, and embracing betterment successful tradition.

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The satellite watches with anticipation arsenic Pope Leo XIV begins his papal ministry. For Catholics successful Ghana and astir the world, his enactment marks the opening of a caller chapter.