If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the white smoke or the memes about the "American Pope." It’s a lot to take in. For the first time in history, a guy from Chicago is running the show at the Vatican. Naturally, the first thing everyone is Googling—right after "who is this guy?"—is the age.
How old is the new Pope? As of January 2026, Pope Leo XIV is 70 years old.
He was born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955. If you're doing the math, he stepped onto that famous balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica on May 8, 2025, at the age of 69.
Honestly, in the world of the papacy, 70 is practically middle-aged. We’ve become so used to seeing pontiffs in their late 80s struggling with mobility that seeing a 70-year-old who can walk a full procession without a wheelchair feels like a massive shift. It’s a "younger" energy for an institution that usually moves at the speed of eroding rock.
The age of Leo XIV: Why 70 is the "sweet spot" for the Vatican
There’s a reason the cardinals went with someone in his late 60s this time around. After watching Pope Francis navigate the grueling physical demands of the office while approaching 90, the College of Cardinals was clearly looking for a bit of a "Goldilocks" candidate. Not too old to be immediately frail, but not so young that he’d reign for forty years and lock the Church into one specific era for half a century.
Robert Prevost—now Leo XIV—fits that window perfectly.
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A quick look at the timeline
- Born: September 14, 1955 (Chicago, Illinois).
- Elected: May 8, 2025 (Age 69).
- Current Age: 70 (as of early 2026).
When you look at the history, 70 is actually quite traditional. Benedict XVI was 78 when he was elected. Francis was 76. Going back a bit further, John Paul II was the real outlier at just 58. By choosing a 69-year-old, the conclave basically signaled they wanted a decade or two of stability without the immediate "health watch" that defined the final years of the previous papacy.
From Chicago to Chiclayo: The road to 70
You can’t really talk about how old the new Pope is without looking at how he spent those seven decades. He didn't just spend his life in a library in Rome. This is a guy who has lived a lot of "real life."
He grew up in Chicago—specifically the middle-class streets where he developed a love for Villanova basketball and, eventually, the Augustinian order. But he didn't stay in the Midwest. He spent a massive chunk of his 70 years in Peru, specifically in Chiclayo.
He holds dual citizenship. He speaks fluent Spanish with a Peruvian lilt. When he stood on that balcony for the first time, he didn't just greet the Romans; he gave a shout-out to his "beloved diocese of Chiclayo." That matters because his age reflects a different kind of experience. He’s old enough to remember the pre-Vatican II world but young enough to have spent his prime years navigating the modern, globalized Church.
Why his health is the current talk of Rome
Because he’s 70, people are watching his stamina like hawks.
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So far, so good. Unlike the late Pope Francis, who suffered from severe respiratory issues (partially due to having a portion of a lung removed in his youth), Leo XIV appears to be in solid shape. He’s already made a trip to Lebanon and is planning a heavy travel schedule for late 2026.
However, the Vatican is a high-pressure environment. It’s a 24/7 job with no retirement age unless you choose to step down, which is still a rarity despite Benedict XVI setting the precedent. At 70, Leo XIV is entering what most people consider their "golden years," but he’s just starting the most stressful job on the planet.
What his age says about the future of the Church
There’s a bit of a misconception that "younger" (relatively speaking) means "radical." That’s not necessarily the case here. Prevost was the Prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops before he was elected—basically the guy in charge of vetting every new bishop in the world. He knows where the bodies are buried. He knows the bureaucracy.
His age suggests a bridge-building papacy.
- Technology: He's the first Pope who truly grew up in the television age and reached middle age as the internet took over.
- Perspective: He isn't a "Great Depression" baby like his predecessors. He’s a Baby Boomer. That brings a different cultural lens to issues like climate change and social justice.
- The "American" Factor: Being the first US-born Pope at 70 means he brings a pragmatic, almost business-like approach to Vatican finances that we haven't seen in a while.
Common questions about the new Pope's transition
Is he the youngest Pope ever?
God, no. Not even close. Pope John XII was reportedly in his late teens or early 20s when he took office in 955 (and it didn't go great). In the modern era, Leo XIV is "young" compared to the 80-somethings, but he’s still a senior citizen.
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How does his age compare to Pope Francis when he died?
Pope Francis passed away in April 2025 at the age of 88. There’s an 18-year age gap between the end of the last papacy and the start of this one. That’s nearly a generation of difference in terms of worldview.
Will he retire at 75?
In the Catholic Church, bishops are required to submit their resignation at 75. The Pope, however, is the boss. He doesn't have to quit. Whether Leo XIV follows the path of Benedict XVI (resigning when strength fails) or Francis (staying until the end) is the multi-million dollar question in Rome right now.
What to watch for in 2026
If you want to keep tabs on how the "new" guy is doing, watch his August schedule. Rome is brutal in the summer. If he stays in the city and keeps working rather than retreating to the cooler hills of Castel Gandolfo, it’s a sign his 70-year-old engine is running just fine.
Basically, we’re in a period of "energetic transition." The Vatican is trying to prove it can still be relevant in a world that moves fast. Having a leader who doesn't need a walking stick to get to the altar is a big part of that PR strategy.
Next Steps for the Curious:
- Check the official Vatican News portal for the latest on his 2026 Apostolic Journeys.
- Look into his past writings as Cardinal Robert Prevost to see how his Chicago roots influenced his theology.
- Monitor the Consistory schedules; how he picks new cardinals at his age will tell us if he’s planning for a long-term legacy or just keeping the seat warm.