Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American—and the first Augustinian—in Catholic history to ascend to the papacy, igniting a wave of celebration across his hometown.
At a Glance
- Cardinal Robert Prevost, born in Chicago in 1955, is now Pope Leo XIV
- First American-born pope and first Augustinian to lead the Catholic Church
- Election concluded on May 8, 2025, after four rounds of voting in Rome
- Chicago celebrates with public gatherings and church-led vigils
- Pope Leo XIV brings decades of pastoral, academic, and global experience
From Chicago to the Vatican
Pope Leo XIV’s story begins on the South Side of Chicago, where he was born in 1955 and raised in a devout Catholic household. His early life was shaped by the city’s rich religious and cultural fabric, attending local Catholic schools and eventually joining the Augustinian Order. As noted by Fox 32 Chicago, Prevost’s Chicago roots are foundational to his spiritual identity and leadership style.
He earned degrees in both mathematics and theology before pursuing advanced studies in Rome. His deep ties to Chicago remained intact throughout his academic journey and later during missionary work, with parishioners in the city recalling his humility, intellect, and multilingual fluency.
Watch a report: Cardinal Robert Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV.
Global Service, Local Pride
After years of pastoral work, especially as a missionary in Peru, Prevost rose through the Vatican ranks to become Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. But Chicago never forgot him. Churches across the city rang their bells in unison with St. Peter’s Basilica when the Reuters headline broke: “Habemus Papam—He’s One of Ours.”
In neighborhoods like Pilsen and Hyde Park, vigils and parades sprung up spontaneously. Community leaders hailed his election as a “testament to the city’s contributions to global faith.” Local relatives shared emotional reflections, including his cousin John Prevost, who told Detroit Catholic, “It’s overwhelming pride, but also overwhelming responsibility being the first American pope, from Chicago, and a relative.”
A Vision for Unity and Inclusion
From the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV delivered a message of unity, echoing Pope Francis’s legacy but promising a fresh era of synodal leadership. His vision, grounded in service to the marginalized and a commitment to peace, draws inspiration from both his work abroad and his early formation in Chicago’s diverse, working-class neighborhoods.
As Catholics worldwide adjust to this historic moment, Chicago stands not just as his birthplace—but as a symbolic epicenter of a Church stepping boldly into its next chapter.
