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Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost — now known as Pope Leo XIV — has been elected as the first-ever pontiff from the United States.

Leo, born in Chicago in 1955, served over a decade as a missionary in Trujillo, Peru, and then led the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2014 to 2023. He most recently served as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican office charged with recommending new bishop appointments.

The papal name of Leo is seen as a reflection of his commitment to the poor. The last pope to take the name Leo, Pope Leo XIII who served from 1878 to 1903, had a strong emphasis on workers’ rights and Catholic social doctrine.

Leo is also the first pope of the Augustinian order, a global order named for St. Augustine. Speaking from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in his first address as pope, Leo quoted Augustine: “For you, I am a bishop, with you, after all, I am a Christian.”

Pope Leo was born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago on September 14, 1955. He's seen here on the left with his mother, Mildred, and his brothers John and Louis.

courtesy John Prevost

Leo is standing, fourth from left, in this classroom photo from St. Mary’s School of the Assumption in Chicago in 1962.

St. Mary of the Assumption School

Leo blesses his mother after being ordained as a priest.

courtesy John Prevost

Leo earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and went on to receive his diploma in theology from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. Leo was eventually sent to Rome to study canon law. Later in his career, he taught canon law in the seminary in Trujillo, Peru.

Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel

Leo poses for a photo with his niece in this undated photo.

courtesy John Prevost

Leo, seen here in this undated picture with Pope John Paul II, was ordained as a priest in June 1982, at the Augustinian College of Saint Monica. In the years following his ordination, Leo spent time in Chulucanas, in Peru's Piura region, and Olympia Fields, Illinois, before joining the mission in Trujillo, Peru.

Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel

An undated portrait of Leo, the first pope from the Order of St. Augustine.

Orden de San Agustin

Leo meets with Pope Benedict XVI in this undated photo.

Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel

Leo spent many years as a missionary in South America. “I still consider myself a missionary. My vocation, like that of every Christian, is to be a missionary, to proclaim the Gospel wherever one is,” Leo said in 2023, shortly after assuming a leadership position in Rome.

Villanova University

Leo embraces Pope Francis, the man he would eventually succeed, during a meeting Francis held with Augustinian priests in Rome in August 2013.

CPP/Polaris/Newscom

Leo sits next to Francis during their meeting in August 2013.

CPP/Polaris/Newscom

Leo in Chiclayo, Peru, in 2015. He obtained Peruvian citizenship in August of that year.

Estefanny Varillas Saavedra/Newscom

Leo blesses a woman during a Mass in Motupe, Peru, in 2020.

Cruz de Motupe Brotherhood/AP

Leo blesses a member of the clergy during a Mass in Chiclayo in 2021.

Cruz de Motupe Brotherhood/AP

Francis appoints Leo a cardinal at St. Peter's Square in 2023.

Vatican Media/Getty Images

Leo arrives at St. Peter's Square for his appointment as cardinal in 2023. At right is Claudio Gugerotti, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, who was also made a cardinal that day.

Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images

Leo attends an event in New Lenox, Illinois, in 2024.

Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel

Leo leads an anniversary celebration of the diocese in Chulucanas, Peru, in 2024.

Diocese of Chulucanas/AP

Leo, center, poses with Augustinian priests, from left, Tom McCarthy, Bernie Scianna, Anthony B. Pizzo and Jack Tierney.

Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel

This undated photo shows Leo during his time as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. During his tenure, he was elected second vice-president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference and served as president of its Commission for Culture and Education.

Conferencia Episcopal Peruana