Congratulations to Pope Leo 14th. Robert Francis Prevost was born in Chicago on 14 September 1955. He graduated Villanova University in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. The Pope attended Big 5 games – how cool is that!
Pope Leo 14th was ordained a priest into the Augustinian community in 1982. Pope Leo spent much of his priesthood as a missionary servant in Peru. In 2015 he was named Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. He was named a Cardinal in 2023.
He served twice as the Prior General of the Augustinians. Pope Leo served the President of the Pontifical Commission of Latin America, as well as the Dicastery of Bishops for the Vatican
Pope Leo is fluent in English, Latin, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and French.
Who are the Leos?
Pope St. Leo the Great served as Pope in the 5th century. Pope St. Leo was known as a great figure of reconciliation. Leo brought clarification to Church teaching by addressing the heresies that continued to plague the Church. He saved Rome from the attack of Attila in 452 and he organized pastoral charitable care to the poor in Rome that resulted from this tumultuous time. Leo technically served as the head of the Church as well as the head of the state when the empire was without effective governance.
Pope Leo 13th served in the 19th century. He followed Pope Pius 9th. Pius reaffirmed Church teachings against the threat of the Industrial Revolution. Leo highlighted how Church teaching could complement a rapidly changing industrial and political world. Leo’s social justice doctrine: On the Nature of Things, emphasized the importance of proper housing, healthcare, education, and safe working conditions. This document would be celebrated and upheld by each subsequent Holy Father. Leo also met with St. Frances Cabrini, St. Katharine Drexel, and St. Therese of Lisieux confirming and strengthening their religious ministries.
A Prayer for the Pope
Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world. Amen.
V/ Let us pray for the Pope. R/ May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies. V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be …