Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Illinois, is the current head of the Roman Catholic Church. His birth city is Chicago, United States.
Name at Birth and Birth City
Before becoming pope, he was known as Robert Francis Prevost. He was born in Chicago, the largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, on September 14, 1955.
Diocese and Background
Chicago is historically part of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Prevost grew up in this Midwestern context before later entering religious life and serving in Peru and the United States.
Mineral and Ecclesiastical Career Snapshot
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type | Birth City | Chicago, Illinois | Official biography |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 14, 1955 | Official biography |
| Ordination Priest | 1982 | Vatican records |
| Elected Pope | May 8, 2025 | Vatican announcement |
Early Formation Influences
Raised in Chicago, Prevost was shaped by Midwestern Catholic culture and later studied at Catholic University of America and the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas.
Path to the Papacy
He joined the Order of Saint Augustine, served in Peru, held leadership roles in the Augustinian order, and worked in the Roman Curia before his election as pope in 2025.