Pope Robert Prevost – Bio
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 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, before becoming a bishop there.
Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, Prevost served as an altar boy and was ordained as a priest in 1982. Although he moved to Peru three years later, he returned regularly to the US to serve as a pastor and a prior in his home city.
He has Peruvian nationality and is fondly remembered as a figure who worked with marginalized communities and helped build bridges.
He spent 10 years as a local parish pastor and as a teacher
at a seminary in Trujillo in northwestern Peru.
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In his first words as Pope, Leo XIV spoke fondly of his predecessor Francis.
“We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us,” he said.
“United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together,” he told cheering crowds.
He also spoke of his role in the Augustinian Order. He was 30 when he moved to Peru as part of an Augustinian mission.
Pope Francis made him Bishop of “Chicly” in Peru a year after becoming Pope.
Be PROUD of Jesus
…because Jesus is beyond love!
Love doesn’t necessarily breed Pride but Pride breeds love!