Pope Leo XIV: An American Shepherd for a Universal Church

On May 8, 2025, the Universal Church witnessed a moment of historic significance as the College of Cardinals, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th successor to Saint Peter. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he is the first American pontiff in the two thousand year history of the Catholic Church.

From the heart of Chicago to the Chair of Peter, Pope Leo XIV embodies the Church’s missionary spirit and the growing universality of the Body of Christ.

A Vocation Rooted in Humility and Service

Born on September 14, 1955, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Pope Leo XIV entered the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977.
He professed solemn vows in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1982. Guided by a deep sense of mission, he served in Peru for decades, ministering as a parish pastor, seminary educator, and eventually Bishop of Chiclayo. His ministry in Latin America earned him both Peruvian citizenship and a reputation for pastoral closeness and doctrinal fidelity.

In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, entrusting him with the sacred responsibility of assisting in the selection of bishops throughout the world. Later that year, he was created a cardinal, placing him at the heart of the Church’s governance and evangelization efforts.

A Sign of Unity and Continuity

Pope Leo XIV’s election comes at a time of global uncertainty and internal challenge for the Church. In choosing a man of deep missionary experience, the cardinal electors have signaled a desire for a shepherd who knows both the peripheries and the center.
His American roots and his decades of service in Latin America reflect the global face of today’s Catholic faithful.
In his first address from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Holy Father invoked the intercession of Our Lady and asked for the prayers of the people, promising to walk with them as a servant of the servants of God.

A Shepherd for the Times

The new pontiff faces the weighty responsibilities of renewing trust in the Church, upholding moral truth, and proclaiming the Gospel to a world in need of Christ. His Augustinian spirituality, marked by interior conversion and a love of community, will guide his Petrine ministry in fidelity to the Church’s teachings and tradition.
Let us entrust him to the loving care of our Blessed Mother and the protection of Saints Peter and Paul.

JMJ

A Prayer for His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV

Robert Francis Prevost

BORN: September 14, 1955
ORDAINED PRIEST: June 19, 1982
ORDAINED BISHOP: December 12, 2014
CREATED CARDINAL: September 30, 2023
ELECTED POPE: May 8, 2025

“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.”  Matthew 16:18 

Dear God, our Heavenly Father,
Shepherd and Ruler of all the faithful,
look favorably upon Your servant, Leo XIV,
whom you have set as the shepherd of Your Church.

Pour out Your abundant blessings upon him, and through him, please guide Your pilgrim Church along the path to Heaven.

Grant him wisdom to discern Your will, courage to fulfill it,
And love to shepherd Your people with the Heart of Christ.

Through his ministry, bring peace to troubled hearts, joy and courage to those who suffer, and hope to the despairing. May our dear Pope Leo be a faithful successor to Peter, a humble servant of Your Word,
and a fearless herald of Your Divine Mercy and Truth.

Please help him, through his word and example
to serve Your flock, so that, together with him, we may all come to eternal life with You.

We entrust him to the maternal care of our Mother Mary, and to the prayers of all the saints, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Alleluia!