Robert Prevost, 69, who graduated from Villanova in 1977 with a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics, has been elected by the College of Cardinals to be the Catholic Church’s 267th Pope.
The Chicago-born, Prevost was installed as a Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023 to lead the office that vets bishop nominations, one of the most important jobs in the church. He is the first American to be named Pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.
Earlier this year, he was appointed by his predecessor to the most senior rank of cardinals.
He will go by Pope Leo XIV.
“Peace be with you all,” Pope Leo XIV said in his first public address at his new position. “Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts to reach your families to all people everywhere to all the earth: peace be with you.”
Prior to becoming a Cardinal, he was twice elected prior general, or top leader, of the Augustinians. Former Pope Francis moved him from the Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014 to serve as the administrator and later archbishop of Chiclayo.
He remained in that position, acquiring Peruvian citizenship in 2015, until Francis brought him to Rome in 2023.