Pope Leo XIV

He went on to say: “Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.” His blessing to those watching from St. Peter’s Square and around the world ended with the recitation of the Hail Mary. 

The largest-ever conclave which elected Pope Leo lasted just over 24 hours and consisted of 133 cardinals. Only members of the College of Cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote. The College of Cardinals now includes men from countries who never before had a voice in a papal election. Diversity in the Church was important to Pope Francis, and he ensured this was reflected in the men he appointed as cardinals during the 12 years of his pontificate.

Did You Know?

• For most of the first century, popes used their given names.
• In the 6th century Roman Mercurius chose the name John II because he had been named for a pagan god.
• In the 11th century, the practice of adopting a new name became standard after a series of German popes chose the names of early Church bishops in an expression of unity with the Universal Church.
• For many centuries popes chose the name of the pope who had elevated them to cardinal, with John being the most popular (23 popes) followed by Benedict and Gregory (16 each).
• Beginning in the mid-20th century, new popes began to choose names indicating the focus of their papacy.

Source: France 24 with AP

Things to Know About Pope Leo XIV

• Robert Francis Prevost was born in 1955 in Chicago. He has two brothers. His father was a World War II Navy veteran and school superintendent and his mother was a librarian.
• He earned a BS degree in mathematics from Villanova University in 1977 before pursuing his religious vocation.
• He finished secondary studies at the minor seminary of the Augustinians in Michigan in 1973. In 1977 he became a member of the Order of St. Augustine and took his solemn vows in 1981.
• He completed a master of divinity at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and earned a licentiate and doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
• He was ordained a priest in 1982.
• He served in Peru from 1985 to 1998, working as a parish pastor, seminary teacher and diocesan official. He was also part of the leadership of Caritas Peru, the Church’s charitable organization.
• After being elected the head of the Augustinian Province of Chicago, he returned to the U.S. in 1999. He was elected prior general of the Augustinians in 2001 and then reelected in 2007, serving as head of the order until 2013.
• Pope Francis appointed him apostolic administrator and then bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2014 and 2015.
• He was made a cardinal by Pope Francis on Sept. 30, 2023.
• While serving the Church in Peru, Francis made him a member of the Dicastery for the Clergy in 2019 and then a member of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2020. In 2023, Francis made him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
• He speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese.
• His episcopal motto is In illo uno unum, which means “In the one Christ we are one.”

Source: CNA/Francesca Pollio Fenton, May 9, 2025