Pope Leo XIV was born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955. He is the first U.S. pope in the church’s history, and is also a citizen of Peru, where he worked for many years.
Pope Leo XIV grew up in south suburban Dolton and has two brothers.
Pope Leo XIV has two brothers, Louis Martin Prevost and John Jospeh Prevost.
He comes from Chicago, Illinois, the son of Louis and Mildred Prevost.
Growing up, the family attended St. Mary of the Assumption parish on 137th Street. Per the Chicago Sun-Times, the Prevost family “were known at bustling St. Mary’s as dedicated and devout musicians, altar boys, lectors and volunteers.”
Even before his name was announced from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, the crowds below were chanting “Viva il Papa” – Long live the Pope.
Robert Francis Prevost, 69, will be the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter and he will be known as Leo XIV.
He is the first American to fill the role of pope, although he is considered as much a cardinal from Latin America because of the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru.
Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, Prevost served as an altar boy and was ordained in 1982.
