Pope Leo XIV – Thank you, Lord, for the new Pope! May your Spirit accompany him to guide your Church.
Together with the whole Church, we joyfully welcome Peter’s new successor. In his first words, he reminded us: “We want to be a synodal Church, seeking peace and always helping those who suffer.” With gratitude in our hearts, we pray that the Holy Spirit will enlighten and sustain him in this mission.
Who is the new Pope?
Prevost completed his secondary education at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers, graduating in 1973. He then studied at Villanova University, receiving a degree in Mathematical Sciences and a specialization in Philosophy.
He also studied at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he received a Master of Divinity, and at the Angelicum University in Rome, where he obtained a licentiate and a doctorate in Canon Law¹.
Prevost entered the novitiate of the Order of St. Augustine in 1977 and made his first profession of religious vows in 1978. He was ordained a priest in 1982. He has worked on several missions in Peru, including the mission of Chulucanas, where he was parochial vicar and chancellor. He has also been Prior Provincial of his province and Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine¹.
Prevost has served in various capacities in the Catholic Church, including Bishop of Chiclayo, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Pope Francis named him Cardinal in 2023.
On 8 May 2025, Prevost was elected as the new Pope of the Catholic Church, assuming the name Leo XIV. He is the first American Pope in the Catholic Church’s history.
We invite you to pray that this moment of the Church may be: “With Him, pathway of hope”.
