In 2023, he was appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most powerful roles in the Vatican, responsible for selecting bishops worldwide. He also served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, further strengthening his ties to the global south and deepening his understanding of the challenges facing Catholics in developing nations.
Family and Early Formation
Cardinal Prevost is the son of Louis Marius Prevost, a man of French and Italian heritage, and Mildred Martínez, who was of Spanish descent. According to the Vatican, his father was an educator, while his mother worked as a librarian. Their commitment to learning and faith helped shape the intellectual and spiritual foundation of their son, who would go on to join the Augustinian order.
He has two brothers: Louis Martín Prevost and John Joseph Prevost, both of whom have been supportive of his journey in the Church. In recent years, they have remained private figures, but are reportedly present in Rome to support their brother during this historic moment.
Prevost’s educational journey took him to Villanova University in Pennsylvania and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He later earned a doctorate in canon law from the prestigious Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, further preparing him for a leadership role in the global Church.
A New Era for the Church
As Pope Leo XIV, Prevost inherits a Church navigating complex global issues: secularization in the West, persecution in some regions, declining vocations, and the ongoing need for reform and transparency. Yet many see in him a bridge-builder—someone equally at home in the cultures of North and South America, deeply rooted in both spiritual tradition and institutional understanding.
His election marks a new chapter not only for the Church but also for millions of Catholics in the Americas who now see one of their own ascend to the highest office in Catholicism.
In his first remarks from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV spoke of healing, unity, and hope. “May we walk forward together in faith,” he said, “from every nation, in every language, united in Christ.”
