Robert Prevost and his path to becoming the first US pope
(NCR graphic/Toni-Ann Ortiz)
In the first year of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, NCR is tracing his footsteps from his time as a missionary in Peru, his background in the United States and through key administrative roles in the Vatican to provide readers with a profile of the new pope.
Then-Bishop Robert Prevost championed migrants, trafficking victims, and sister-run ministries in Chiclayo, Peru. Locals hope that, as Pope Leo XIV, he keeps his community-centered leadership.
After stepping out to the main balcony as Pope Leo XIV, he mentioned no nationality. Instead, he identified himself as "a son of St. Augustine, an Augustinian."
Augustinians around the world are remembering fellow Augustinian Fr. Robert Prevost, who was elected as pontiff on May 8 by 133 cardinals after four votes.
The challenges for the Catholic Church in Chicago, where Robert Prevost grew up, are a microcosm of the gargantuan problems facing the worldwide Catholic Church that the new Pope Leo XIV must address.
