If you’re scratching your head wondering when we skipped from Pope Francis to a guy named Leo, you aren't alone. Honestly, the world moved pretty fast in May 2025. When the white smoke finally billowed out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, it wasn't just another European or even another South American stepping onto that balcony. It was a kid from the Chicago suburbs.
So, where is Pope Leo 14 from? The short answer is Chicago, Illinois.
But that’s kinda like saying a deep-dish pizza is just "bread and cheese." There is a lot more to the story. Born Robert Francis Prevost, this guy is a history-maker. He is the first-ever Pope from the United States. He’s also the first Augustinian to lead the Church in centuries and only the second person from the Americas to hold the keys to St. Peter.
The Windy City Roots of Robert Prevost
Leo XIV didn't start his life in a palace or a cathedral. He was born on September 14, 1955, right in the heart of Chicago.
Growing up in the south suburbs, his childhood was pretty typical for a mid-century Catholic kid. His dad, Louis Marius Prevost, was an educator. You can almost see the influence of that upbringing in how the Pope speaks today—there’s a certain directness there. He’s a "Baby Boomer" Pope, which is a weird thing to think about when you're used to ancient-looking pontiffs. He grew up with the same stuff many of us did: the space race, the civil rights movement, and the transformation of the modern world.
He went to Villanova University. Go Wildcats, right? He graduated in 1977.
After that, things got a bit more international. He joined the Order of Saint Augustine (the Augustinians) and eventually found himself in Rome, getting doctorates in canon law at the Angelicum. But Chicago never really left him. Even when he was halfway across the world, he was still the kid from the "City of Broad Shoulders."
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From the Midwest to the Mountains of Peru
You can’t talk about where Pope Leo 14 is from without talking about Peru. He basically has two homes.
In the 1980s, he headed down to Peru as a missionary. This wasn't just a summer trip. He spent decades there. He lived in Trujillo and Chiclayo, working in the trenches. He wasn't just some bureaucrat; he was a guy who learned the language, the culture, and the struggles of the people.
He actually holds dual citizenship. He’s American and Peruvian.
- 1980s-90s: Missionary work in northern Peru.
- 1999: Returns to Chicago to lead the local Augustinian province.
- 2001: Elected as the head of the Augustinians worldwide (based in Rome).
- 2014: Pope Francis sends him back to Peru to be the Bishop of Chiclayo.
Because he spent so much time in Latin America, he became a close ally of Pope Francis. He speaks Spanish fluently—honestly, probably as well as he speaks English. When people ask where he’s from, "the Americas" is really the most accurate answer. He bridges that gap between the Global North and the Global South in a way we haven't seen before.
Why Choose the Name Leo XIV?
Choosing a name is a huge deal in the Vatican. It’s a mission statement. When Cardinal Prevost stepped out and said he was Pope Leo 14, he was sending a message.
The last "Leo" was Pope Leo XIII, who died way back in 1903. That Leo was famous for something called Rerum Novarum. Basically, it was the first time the Church really stood up and said, "Hey, factory workers deserve rights, and both unbridled capitalism and extreme socialism have some major flaws."
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By taking the name Leo XIV, the Chicagoan is signaling that he's going to focus on social justice and the economy. He’s looking back to a guy who tried to bridge the gap between the Church and the "modern" industrial world. Plus, let’s be real—"Leo" means lion. It’s a strong name.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Background
There’s a misconception that because he’s American, he’s going to be "The American Pope" who pushes a specific U.S. political agenda. That’s probably not going to happen.
If you look at his track record in the Dicastery for Bishops (the office that picks new bishops), he’s been very much in line with the "Francis" way of doing things. He’s more about the "peripheries" than the power centers.
He’s a polyglot, too. He speaks:
- English
- Spanish
- Italian
- French
- Portuguese
He also reads Latin and German. So, while he’s from Chicago, he isn't exactly "provincial." He’s a globalist in the truest sense of the word.
What This Means for the Church in 2026
Having a guy from the U.S. in charge is a massive shift. For centuries, it was Italians. Then we got a Pole, a German, and an Argentine. Now, the superpower of the West finally has one of its own on the throne.
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But it’s a weird time for the Church. There are massive divisions, especially in the United States. Some see him as too progressive because of his ties to Francis. Others are worried he might be too "American" for the rest of the world.
His first few months have been busy. He’s already visited Turkey and Lebanon. He’s pushing for peace in regions that feel like they're on the brink of total collapse. He’s using that "disarmed peace" he talked about in his first speech.
Actionable Insights for Following the Papacy
If you want to keep up with what Leo XIV is doing, don't just watch the mainstream news. They usually miss the nuance.
Watch his Wednesday Audiences. This is where he actually talks to the people. You can find transcripts on the official Vatican website. You'll see that Chicago "educator" vibe come through—he likes to teach.
Look at his appointments. The best way to see where a Pope is going is to see who he promotes. Watch who he names as Cardinals. If he keeps picking guys from the Global South and the "fringes," you know he’s sticking to the path he started in Peru.
Read "Dilexi te." This is one of his earlier works. It gives you a window into his soul and his theology before the weight of the papacy was on his shoulders.
Leo XIV is a unique blend. He’s a Canon Lawyer with a missionary’s heart. He’s a Midwesterner with a Latin American soul. Whether you’re Catholic or not, watching how a guy from Chicago navigates the oldest institution in the Western world is going to be a wild ride.
To get a better sense of his daily priorities, check the daily bulletins from the Holy See Press Office. They list every meeting and official statement, which is the best way to cut through the media spin and see what the "Lion of Chicago" is actually focused on.