Background and Early Life
Robert Francis Prevost Martínez, who chose León XIV as his papal name, was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. His father had French and Italian roots, while his mother descended from Spanish emigrants settled in Nueva Orleans during the 19th century.
Education and Religious Vocation
Prevost Martínez completed his secondary education at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Friars. He then pursued Mathematics and Philosophy at Villanova University, entering the Augustinian Order’s noviciate in St. Louis in 1977.
Ordination and Early Ministry
In 1982, he was ordained a priest at the Augustinian College of Santa Mónica by Monsignor Jean Jadot. He earned a license in Theology from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1984. At age 27, he was sent to the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Piura, Peru, for a two-year stint.
Leadership Roles in Peru
Prevost Martínez served various community leadership roles in Peru for over a decade, from 1985 to 1996. He then returned to Chicago for different responsibilities and became the prior general of the OSA in 2001.
Return to Peru and Rise in the Church
In 2014, Pope Francis summoned Prevost Martínez back to Peru, appointing him apostolic administrator of the Chiclayo diocese and later its bishop in 2015.
Vatican Appointments
In January 2023, Pope Francis called Prevost Martínez to Rome as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, elevating him to archbishop. The same year, he was created cardinal deacon of Santa Mónica.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Cardinal Robert Prevost Martínez? Born in Chicago, Illinois, he is the second pope from the American continent, chosen León XIV as his papal name. His father had French and Italian roots, while his mother descended from Spanish emigrants in Nueva Orleans.
- What is his educational background? Prevost Martínez studied Mathematics and Philosophy at Villanova University, then joined the Augustinian Order’s noviciate in St. Louis. He was ordained a priest in 1982 and earned a license in Theology from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1984.
- What roles has he held in Peru? He served as a missionary and bishop in Peru for nearly four decades, holding various community leadership roles from 1985 to 1996. He returned to Chicago for different responsibilities and became the prior general of the OSA in 2001.
- What are his recent Vatican appointments? In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost Martínez prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, elevating him to archbishop. He was also created cardinal deacon of Santa Mónica.
