*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
