Prevost Becomes Pope Leo XIV, First Augustinian

Vatican City: In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti announced “Habemus Papam” from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, naming Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as Pope Leo XIV – the 267th successor to Saint Peter. Thousands gathered in the square, applauding as the 69-year-old American became the first Augustinian Pope and the second pontiff from the Americas, following Pope Francis. The election, a notable milestone, drew attention across the globe, including among India’s 20 million Catholics, who see it as a significant development for the Church’s diverse leadership.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed approval of the cardinals’ choice. “I’m very pleased, though surprised, by the outcome,” he told reporters, adding, “I offer a prayer for Pope Leo and pray for the success of his mission.” His comments reflect cautious optimism about the new pontificate, which takes over at a time of global challenges for the Church.

Born on 14 September 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, to Louis Marius Prevost, of French-Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent, Robert Prevost grew up with two brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph. His early education at the Augustinian Minor Seminary led to a Mathematics degree from Villanova University in 1977, alongside Philosophy studies. That year, he joined the Order of Saint Augustine in St. Louis, taking his first vows in 1978 and solemn vows in 1981.

Prevost’s theological training at Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union prepared him for priesthood, but his studies took him to Rome, where he earned a licentiate (1984) and doctorate (1987) in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Ordained on 19 June 1982 at Rome’s Augustinian College of St. Monica, he soon embarked on missionary work in Peru, serving in Chulucanas (1985–1986) and Trujillo (1988–1999). In Trujillo, he led parishes in poor suburbs, taught Canon Law and Moral Theology at the San Carlos y San Marcelo Seminary, and served as judicial vicar, roles that resonate with India’s own tradition of community service.

Elected Prior General of the Augustinians in 2001 and re-elected in 2007, Prevost gained a global profile. In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo, Peru, and ordained him Bishop on 12 December 2014, with the motto “In Illo uno unum” (“In that one, we are one”). As Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, he served Peru’s Episcopal Conference, focusing on education and culture. His appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023, followed by his elevation to Cardinal in 2024 and the Suburbicarian Church of Albano in 2025, marked his rapid rise in the Vatican.

Prevost’s recent roles included presiding over the Rosary for Pope Francis’s health on 3 March 2025 and the Jubilee Mass for Armed Forces on 9 February 2025. He also participated in the Synod on Synodality (2023–2024) and served in multiple Vatican dicasteries, from Evangelization to Doctrine of the Faith. His experience as a missionary and administrator positions him to address the Church’s global challenges.

For India, where Catholicism thrives alongside diverse faiths, Pope Leo XIV’s election underscores the Church’s universal reach. His American roots and Peruvian mission mirror India’s own blend of tradition and service, offering a point of connection for local Catholics. As the second Pope from the Americas, he steps into a role that will shape the Church’s future, with the world watching closely.

– global bihari bureau