Pope Leo XIV: The First Augustinian Pope and Second American Pontiff

On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first Augustinian Pope in history and only the second pontiff from the Americas (first from the United States). His election marks a significant moment in Catholic history, continuing the trend of selecting Church leaders from outside Europe. At 69 years old, Pope Leo XIV brings extensive missionary experience, theological knowledge, and a commitment to promoting peace, dialogue, and unity within the Church and throughout the world.

Biography and Early Life

Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to a diverse family heritage. His father, Louis Marius Prevost, was of French and Italian descent, while his mother, Mildred Martínez, had Spanish heritage. Growing up with his two brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph, young Robert’s faith journey began early18.

His educational path included studies at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers, followed by Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where he earned a degree in Mathematics in 1977, alongside philosophical studies. That same year, on September 1, he entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) in Saint Louis, in the Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Chicago18.

Prevost’s religious journey continued with his first profession on September 2, 1978, and his solemn vows on August 29, 1981. He pursued theological education at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago before being sent to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). On June 19, 1982, at the age of 27, he was ordained a priest at the Augustinian College of Saint Monica by Archbishop Jean Jadot18.

Missionary Work and Church Leadership

After obtaining his licentiate in 1984, Prevost was assigned to the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Piura, Peru, where he served from 1985 to 1986. His doctoral studies culminated in 1987 with a thesis on “The Role of the Local Prior in the Order of Saint Augustine.” Subsequently, he took on leadership roles within the Augustinian order, serving as vocation director and missions director of the Augustinian Province of “Mother of Good Counsel” in Olympia Fields, Illinois18.

Prevost’s connection to Peru deepened over the years, and his leadership abilities were recognized when he was elected head of the Augustinians for two consecutive terms. This international experience, combined with his theological expertise, prepared him for increasingly significant roles within the Church hierarchy.

Path to the Papacy

Pope Francis created Prevost a Cardinal in the Consistory of September 30, 2023, and assigned him the Diaconate of Saint Monica, which he officially took possession of on January 28, 2024. As head of a Vatican Dicastery, he participated in Pope Francis’s later Apostolic Journeys and in both sessions of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on synodality, held in Rome from October 4 to 29, 2023, and from October 2 to 27, 202418.

On October 4, 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as a member of several important Vatican Dicasteries, including those for Evangelization, the Doctrine of the Faith, the Eastern Churches, the Clergy, and others. His rapid ascent in Church leadership continued when, on February 6, 2025, Pope Francis promoted him to the Order of Bishops, granting him the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Albano18.

Just three months after this appointment, Cardinal Prevost was elected Pope on the fourth ballot of the conclave, choosing the name Leo XIV, a selection that connects him to a long line of pontiffs who have taken this name throughout Church history20.

First Address as Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first speech as Pope on the evening of May 8, 2025, at 7:25 PM local time from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica. His inaugural address centered on the theme of peace, beginning with the words: “Peace be with you all”-echoing Christ’s first greeting after the Resurrection19.

In his address, the new pontiff emphasized the importance of building bridges through dialogue and encounter, stating: “We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us; the world needs His light, humanity needs Him as a bridge to be reached by God and His love. Help us as well-help one another-to build bridges through dialogue, through encounter, uniting everyone to be one single people always in peace”19.

Pope Leo XIV also paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, and expressed gratitude to the College of Cardinals who elected him. He referenced his Augustinian background, quoting Saint Augustine: “With you I am a Christian, for you I am a Bishop,” and spoke of his vision for a missionary Church that builds bridges and welcomes all19 20.

Vision for the Church

In his first address, Pope Leo XIV outlined his vision for the Church, emphasizing several key themes:

A commitment to peace and dialogue: “We want to be a synodal Church, a Church that walks, a Church that always seeks peace, always seeks charity, always strives to be close especially to those who suffer”19.
A missionary spirit: “To the Church of Rome, a special greeting: we must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to welcome-like this square with open arms-all those who need our presence”19.
Continued synodality: Building on the work begun under Pope Francis, Leo XIV expressed his commitment to a “synodal Church, a Church that walks”20.
Devotion to Mary: He concluded his first address by leading the faithful in prayer to the Virgin Mary, noting that the day of his election coincided with the day of the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii20.

Historic Significance of His Papacy

Pope Leo XIV’s election carries historic significance in several ways. As the first Augustinian Pope, he brings the spirituality and intellectual tradition of this ancient religious order to the papacy for the first time. The Order of Saint Augustine, founded in the 13th century, has a rich history of scholarship, missionary work, and spiritual development within the Church18.

As only the second pontiff from the Americas, following Pope Francis (who was from Argentina), his election continues to shift the geographical center of Church leadership away from its traditional European base. This reflects the changing demographics of the global Catholic Church, where the majority of Catholics now live in the Americas, Africa, and Asia rather than Europe18.

His background as both an American-born pope and one who spent significant time as a missionary in Peru gives him a unique perspective on both the developed world and the challenges facing the Church in developing regions. This dual experience may influence his approach to issues ranging from economic justice to evangelization strategies18.

Conclusion

Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate at a pivotal time for the Catholic Church, following the significant reforms and changes initiated by Pope Francis. His background as an Augustinian, his missionary experience, and his emphasis on peace, dialogue, and synodality suggest a papacy that will continue to engage with both the Church’s traditions and the challenges of the modern world.

As the first words of his papacy emphasized-“Peace be with you”-Pope Leo XIV appears poised to focus on building bridges, fostering dialogue, and promoting unity in a divided world. Catholics and observers worldwide will be watching closely to see how his leadership shapes the direction of the Church in the years to come.

His choice of the name Leo connects him to a lineage of popes associated with strong leadership, intellectual contributions, and social teaching-most notably Pope Leo XIII, whose encyclical Rerum Novarum laid the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching. This choice may signal his intentions to be an active teacher and leader addressing contemporary social and religious challenges.

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