“Peace be with you all!”. These are the first words of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Pope in the history of the Church and the first Pope from the United States. “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”, said the Holy Father. “Peace be with you. This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions.”
Remembering Pope Francis
Leone XIV paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis: “Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome.” The new Pontiff recalled the words of the historic Easter blessing, renewing a message of hope: “God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward.” He invited believers to build bridges with dialogue and encounter, “so we can all be one people always in peace.”
Origins and vocation:
Robert Francis Prevost was born on 14 September 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, into a family of Spanish, French and Italian descent. He manifested his religious vocation at a young age. He entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine in the province of Our Lady of Good Counsel, in Saint Louis, in 1977. He professed solemn vows on August 29, 1981, and was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982. He holds degrees from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, where he earned his doctorate in Canon Law in 1987. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian, and has a good knowledge of French.
Meeting Bergoglio: the beginning of a friendship
While serving as Prior General of the Augustinians (2001–2013), he met Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was then Archbishop of Buenos Aires, on several occasions. These informal and institutional meetings consolidated a relationship characterised by mutual respect and closeness.
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The mission in Peru: serving the Church and the poor
After completing his studies, Prevost spent many years ministering in Peru (1985–1998) in Chulucanas and Trujillo. Over the course of the years, he held several leadership roles, including as prior of the local community, formation director, and judicial vicar. During this time, he dedicated himself to the spiritual formation of young priests and to promoting social projects, thereby contributing to the human and spiritual development of the local communities. His gift for dialogue coupled with his dedicated pastoral service established him as a key figure within the Peruvian Church.
Return to the United States and the election as Prior General
In 1998, Prevost returned to the United States, where he was elected Provincial Prior of the Augustinian Province of “Mother of Good Counsel” in Chicago. He was elected Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine in 2001, serving in this role until 2013. The unity of the Order worldwide was strengthened by his leadership, characterised by a collegial style open to dialogue, with pastoral visits to numerous countries, fostering communion among various Augustinian communities.
Return to Peru and the Episcopate
On 3 November 2014, Pope Francis appointed him as Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo in Peru, thereby elevating him to the episcopate. He became a diocesan bishop in 2015. He led the local Church with a missionary focus and a strong emphasis on the formation of the clergy. His commitment was also directed towards promoting social justice and defending the rights of the most vulnerable, thereby cementing a deep bond with the Peruvian community.
Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and Cardinal
In 2023, Pope Francis called him to Rome to serve as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, entrusting him with the responsibility of coordinating the global episcopate. He was subsequently named President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Pope Francis created him a Cardinal in the Consistory of 30 September 2023, appointing him to the Deaconry of Santa Monica.
The Episcopal motto: ‘In Illo Uno Unum’
Pope Leo XIV’s Episcopal motto, ‘In Illo Uno Unum’, is a powerful affirmation of his vision of unity in diversity. The phrase, which means ‘In Him, the One, we are one,’ is a solemn reminder of communion and fraternal unity among all members of the universal Church. The phrase is derived from a line in Saint Augustine‘s sermon, Exposition on Psalm 127. In this sermon, Saint Augustine emphasizes that in Christ, believers are united as one body.
