Reigning pope

Leo XIV, the 267th pope

Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago in 1955, an Augustinian and for many years a missionary in Peru, was elected Bishop of Rome on 8 May 2025, on the second day of the conclave.

Regnal name: Leo XIV
Birth name: Robert Francis Prevost
Born: 14 September 1955
Elected: 8 May 2025 (69 years)
Length of pontificate: 1 year and 6 months · ongoing

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Biographical landmarks

1955
Born in Chicago (Illinois, United States).
1977
Enters the Order of Saint Augustine.
1982
Ordained a priest in Rome.
1985–1998
Missionary in Peru, notably in Trujillo, as formator and teacher.
2001–2013
Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine for two terms.
2015–2023
Bishop of Chiclayo (Peru).
2023
Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
2023
Created cardinal by Pope Francis.
2025
Elected pope on the fourth ballot; he takes the name Leo XIV.

Why “Leo”?

The new pope explained that he chose this name in reference to Leo XIII, author of the encyclical Rerum novarum (1891) on the social question raised by the industrial revolution. He sees it as a compass for the Church facing a new revolution, that of artificial intelligence, and the challenges it poses to human dignity, justice and labour.

Career

Ecclesiastical offices and appointments, from Wikidata. Dates come from the sources and some may be missing.

2001 – 2013Prior General of Order of Saint Augustine
2014 – 2015Apostolic administrator
2014 – 2015Titular bishop
2015 – 2023Grand Chancellor
2015 – 2023Roman Catholic Bishop of Chiclayo
2018 – 2023Vice president
2020 – 2021Apostolic administrator
2023 – 2025Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops
2023 – 2025President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America
2023 – 2025Cardinal-deacon
2025Cardinal-Bishop of Albano
since 2025Pope

Episcopal consecration: 3 November 2014
Consecrators: James Patrick Green, Jesús Moliné Labarta, Salvador Piñeiro García-Calderón
Religious order: Order of St. Augustine
Languages spoken: English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Quechua, Spanish

Positions on six themes

How are these scores established?

Before his election, Cardinal Prevost was in our database like every other elector. His scores, based on his public positions, remain available.

Leo XIV College average

Each theme is scored from 0 (very progressive) to 10 (very conservative). The overall score, out of 100, weights the six themes.

Overall position : 42/100 · Moderately progressive

Moral doctrine · 25 %
7/10

Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost) has spoken against abortion and euthanasia and reaffirmed the Church's teaching on marriage between a man and a woman. In 2025 he said a change in doctrine on sexuality was highly unlikely in the near future, while keeping the pastoral welcome of Pope Francis and the permission, under Fiducia supplicans, to bless people. He has criticized ritualized blessings of couples and, in April 2026, plans announced by a German cardinal to proceed with same-sex blessings.
Liturgy and tradition · 20 %
5/10

Pope Leo XIV has not revoked Traditionis custodes, which remains officially in force. In a March 2026 letter to the French bishops he spoke of a 'painful wound' within the Church and asked for concrete solutions that generously include those attached to the Traditional Latin Mass while respecting the liturgical directions of the Second Vatican Council. In a 2025 interview he said the liturgy had become a political tool.
Socio-political engagement · 15 %
2/10

As bishop of Chiclayo, Prevost set up a diocesan department that helped Venezuelan migrants find shelter and residency permits, and led relief efforts during the 2018 floods and the Covid pandemic. As pope, his first major document, Dilexi te (October 2025), addresses care for the poor, systemic inequality and the rights of migrants. He has criticized United States immigration policy while acknowledging that mass migration raises serious problems.
Stance on Francis's reforms · 20 %
3/10

Pope Francis appointed Prevost to head the Dicastery for Bishops. As pope, he has signaled continuity with Francis on synodality, calling it 'an attitude, an openness, a willingness to understand', and has approved the implementation of the Synod's final document and planning for a 2028 assembly. He also stresses synodality is not democracy and gives it his own emphasis on unity and communion.
Interreligious dialogue · 10 %
3/10

On the 60th anniversary of Nostra aetate in October 2025, Pope Leo XIV called interreligious dialogue 'not a tactic or a tool, but a way of life', adding that it 'begins not in compromise but in conviction'. The same day he joined about 300 representatives of world religions at a prayer for peace at the Colosseum, organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio.
Communication and pastoral style · 10 %
3/10

Residents of Chiclayo describe Prevost as a humble person who listened to others. In his first major interview as pope, in September 2025, he spoke in a reflective and personal register, acknowledging 'a huge learning curve' and answering 'both/and' when asked whether he feels more American or Peruvian. His style is sober and pastoral.

Magisterium

15 official documents published on the Vatican website, sorted by type then by date. Links open the text in the page language when available, otherwise in English or Italian (language shown).

Encyclicals1