An American Pope! Leo XIV - Augustinian, considered a moderate.

Here are some basics on the historic selection of Cardinal Prevost to become Pope.

Biography - Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA)

Birth and Family: Prevost was born in Chicago to Louis Marius Prevost (of French and Italian descent) and Mildred Martínez (of Spanish descent). Raised in a devout Catholic family, he grew up in Dolton, attending St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, where his faith was nurtured by his parents' involvement in church activities.

Personal Traits

Prevost is described as reserved, pragmatic, and multilingual (speaking English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, and reading Latin and German). His global experience, administrative acumen, and pastoral background make him a versatile candidate. Colleagues praise his listening skills, judiciousness, and ability to synthesize complex issues.

Education

- Earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1977.

- Studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, receiving a Master of Divinity.

- Pursued canon law studies in Rome at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), earning a licentiate in 1984 and a doctorate in 1987 with a thesis on the role of the local prior in the Augustinian Order.

- Missionary Work in Peru (1985–1998): Sent to Peru in 1985, Prevost served as a missionary in Chulucanas and later in Trujillo. He held various roles, including community prior, formation director, professor of canon law at the diocesan seminary, judge in the regional ecclesiastical court, and pastor of a parish on the outskirts of Trujillo. This extensive Latin American experience gave him a deep connection to the region and fluency in Spanish- **Leadership in the Augustinian Order**:

- Provincial of the Chicago Province (1999–2001): Returned to the U.S. to lead the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, overseeing operations in the Midwest.

- Prior General (2001–2013): Elected global head of the Augustinian Order in 2001 and re-elected in 2007, serving two six-year terms. Based in Rome, he traveled extensively to Augustinian communities in nearly 50 countries, gaining international experience.

- Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2014–2023): Appointed apostolic administrator of Chiclayo in 2014 and bishop in 2015, Prevost served until 2023. He also acted as apostolic administrator of Callao (2020–2021). During this period, he was instrumental in developing guidelines for handling clergy abuse allegations in Peru and served as the first president of the Episcopal Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults

- Vatican Appointments: Named a member of the Congregation for the Clergy (2019) and the Congregation for Bishops (2020)t)

- Dicastery for Bishops (2023–2025): Appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023, Prevost oversaw the selection of bishops worldwide, a role that significantly raised his profile. He also served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Under his leadership, the dicastery included women in the bishop selection process, reflecting Pope Francis’ reforms.

- Cardinalate: Elevated to cardinal-deacon of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani on September 30, 2023, and promoted to cardinal-bishop of the Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano on February 6, 2025, signaling Pope Francis’ high regard for him.

Pope Leo XIV (Augustinian) and Pope Francis (Jesuit)

- Augustinians and Jesuits differ fundamentally in their origins, spiritualities, and approaches to ministry.

- Augustinians emphasize communal living and pastoral care, rooted in Augustine’s ancient Rule, with a focus on stability and local service.

- Jesuits, founded in the Reformation era, prioritize intellectual engagement, missionary flexibility, and global outreach, guided by Ignatian adaptability.

- Both orders serve the Church but appeal to different needs: Augustinians for community and tradition, Jesuits for innovation and frontiers.

- Pope XIV’s Augustinian background, for example, reflects a pastoral and synodal approach, contrasting with the Jesuit Pope Francis’ global and reformist vision.

Church Alignment and Theological Positions

Pope Leo XIV is generally seen as a moderate who aligns closely with the pastoral and reformist priorities of Pope Francis, though he maintains a pragmatic and discreet style. His positions and affiliations include:

- Synodality: A vocal proponent of Pope Francis’ emphasis on synodality, Prevost supports inclusive and participatory church governance. He connects synodality to addressing polarization and fostering consultation with the laity, as noted during the 2023 Synod on Synodality.

Synodality - a way of being and acting as Church, emphasizing the importance of walking together, listening, discerning, and engaging in authentic dialogue within and beyond the Church's boundaries. It's a process of fraternal collaboration and discernment where all baptized members, including laypeople, priests, bishops, and religious, participate in discerning the will of God and making decisions together, guided by the Holy Spiri

- Pastoral Focus: Like Francis, Prevost prioritizes a “pastors first” approach, emphasizing outreach to the poor, migrants, and marginalized groups. He has expressed that bishops should “smell like the sheep” and embody humility and service, reflecting Francis’ vision.

- Women’s Roles: While opposed to ordaining women as deacons or priests, citing potential complications during the 2023 Synod, Prevost supports greater roles for women in church governance. He endorsed Francis’ decision to include women in the Dicastery for Bishops’ voting process, seeing it as enhancing discernment.

- Fiducia Supplicans: On the controversial document allowing blessings for same-sex couples, Prevost took a nuanced stance, neither fully endorsing nor rejecting it. He emphasized the need for national bishops’ conferences to interpret such directives contextually, reflecting cultural differences.

- Clergy Abuse: Prevost has faced criticism for his handling of abuse allegations, particularly in Peru and during his Augustinian leadership. Critics, including SNAP, allege he failed to act decisively in cases like that of Richard McGrath in Chicago and mishandled claims in Chiclayo. Supporters argue he followed canonical procedures and was targeted by detractors. His role in establishing abuse response guidelines in Peru is cited as evidence of his commitment to reform, though advocates question his record’s integrity.

- Moderation and Continuity: Described as a “dignified middle of the road” figure, Prevost appeals to both progressive and conservative factions. His reserved demeanor and focus on governance contrast with Francis’ charismatic style, suggesting a papacy of continuity in substance but with a more cautious tone.[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/world/americas/pope-candidate-cardinal-robert-francis-prevost.html)[](https://cruxnow.com/papal-transition/2025/05/papabile-of-the-day-cardinal-robert-francis-prevost)

Alignment with Church Figures

- Pope Francis: Prevost’s closest alignment is with Francis, whose trust in him is evident through multiple appointments and his elevation to cardinal-bishop. Their shared emphasis on synodality, pastoral care, and outreach to the peripheries binds them.

- Cardinal Pietro Parolin: As a fellow curial insider, Prevost is seen as an alternative to Parolin, whose candidacy weakened due to diplomatic controversies. Both share a global outlook, but Prevost’s pastoral experience sets him apart.

- Latin American Church: His long service in Peru and role in the Pontifical Commission for Latin America align him with figures like Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who also embodies Francis’ inclusive vision.

- Moderate Cardinals: Prevost’s ability to appeal to both conservatives and progressives suggests alignment with moderates like Cardinal Matteo Zuppi or Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, who balance reform with tradition.

Controversies

- Abuse Allegations: Critics highlight Prevost’s decisions, such as allowing a suspended priest to reside near a school in Chicago and alleged mishandling of abuse claims in Chiclayo. These issues have raised concerns among abuse advocates.

- American Nationality: The historical taboo against an American pope, due to U.S. geopolitical dominance, is mitigated by Prevost’s Peruvian citizenship and international experience.

Conclusion

Pope XIV’s biography reflects a journey from Chicago to Peru and Rome, marked by deep Augustinian roots, missionary zeal, and high-level Vatican service. His alignment with Pope Francis’ reformist agenda, particularly on synodality and pastoral care, positions him as a continuity candidate, though his moderate stance and abuse-related controversies add complexity to his profile.