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Special Topics: Pope Francis & Papal Conclave: Habemus Papam: Pope Leo XIV

Works by Pope Leo XIV

About Pope Leo XIV

  • 1955: Born in Dolton, Illinois, on September 14 as Robert Francis Prevost. 
  • 1977: 
    • Earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Villanova University. ​
    • ​​​​​​Entered novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) on August 29.
  • 1981: Took first profession.
  • 1981: Took solemn vows. 
  • 1982: 
    • Earned a Master of Divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. 
    • Received priestly ordination on June 19. 
  • 1982-1984: Studied canon law at the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome; received licentiate. 
  • 1985-1986: Worked in the mission of Chulucanas, Piura, Peru.
  • 1987:
    • Received doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome. 
    • Elected director of vocations and missions of the Augustinian province "Mother of Good Counsel," Olympia Fields, Illinois. 
  • 1988: Sent to the mission of Trujillo, Peru. 
  • 1988-1998: Served variously as community prior (1988-92), director of formation (1988-98), teacher of the professed (1992-98) at mission of Trujillo, Peru, as well as judicial vicar (1989-98) and Professor of Canon, Patristic and Moral Law, San Carlos e San Marcelo Major Seminary. 
  • 1999: Elected provincial prior, "Mother of Good Counsel" Augustinian province, Chicago. 
  • 2001: Elected prior general of the Augustinians
  • 2013: Returned to Chicago province to serve as teacher of the professed and provincial vicar. 
  • 2014: Appointed apostolic administrator, diocese of Chiclayo, Peru. 
  • 2014: Ordained as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. 
  • 2018: Became second vice president, Peruvian Episcopal Conference. 
  • 2019: Appointed by Pope Francis to the Congregation for the Clergy 
  • 2020: 
    • Appointed by Pope Francis to the Congregation for Bishops. 
    • Appointed by Pope Francis as apostolic administrator, diocese of Callao, Peru. 
  • 2023:
    • Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. 
    • Elevated to Cardinal by Pope Francis, on September 30. 
  • 2025:
    • Promoted to the Order of Bishops by Pope Francis
    • Elected first Pope from the United States and Peru, and first Augustinian Pope, on May 8; took name Leo XIV.

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