Pope Leo XIV, 69, is a leader with global experience. His election as Pope Leo XIV shows his successor to Pope Francis.
1. The rarest red-cheeked doctor with American identity
Reddy Prevost was born in Chicago, USA. But in the Vatican, he is considered the less American rose doctor among American rose doctors. He worked for a decade in Trujillo, Peru, before being appointed as the vicar of Chiclayo - a city in Peru from 2014 to 2023. He speaks fluently Spanish and Italian.
2. highly appreciated by Pope Francis
According to Vatican Christopher Lamb of CNN, the late popes Francis "respect and highly appreciate" Red Doctor Prevost. CNN reported that they met with Pope Leo XIV when he was a cardinal and found him to be "a very thoughtful and calm person".
3. Augustino family members
Saint Leo is a member of the Augustinian Order, a Order with a network spread across the world. He has led the Order for more than a decade as a cardinal.
4. Strong leadership experience
papal Francis has appointed Red Doctor Prevost as head of the agency in charge of appointing the friars of the Vatican, responsible for evaluating the candidates for the see and making recommendations for the new appointments. He also served as president of the papal Commission for Latin America.
5. Have educational goals
To this day, I still consider myself a missionary, Red Doctor Prevost shared in an interview with Vatican News. In another interview, he said that the time he lived in Peru was the experience that shaped him the most.
6. Having 2 US and Peruvian nationality
Pope Leo is a citizen of the United States and Peru. According to the National Migration Registration Agency of Peru, the popes born in the US became a Peruvian citizen in August 2015.
7. The new papal title reflects his commitment to the poor
The last popes to use the title Leo were popes Leo XIII, a pope who stood up for the poor and fought to protect the working class. King Leo XIII led the parish from 1878 to 1903, strongly emphasizing the rights of workers and the catholic social Doctrine.
8. Intermediate factors are capable of harmonization
Cardinal Prevost shares the same orientation with Pope Francis in promoting a more open and tolerant global church. However, he is expected to lead in his own style. On social issues such as migration and poverty, he tends to take a progressive stance. Meanwhile, with the rotating issues related to Catholic dogma, he is said to maintain a gentle and moderate viewpoint.
9. Graduated in Mathematics in Villanova, USA
Red Doctor Prevost received his bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Villanova University (Pennsylvia, USA), then continued to receive his doctorate in Theology from the Chicago Catholic Theological Union, USA. He was later sent to Roma to study canon law, and in his later career, he taught canon law at the University of Trujillo, Peru.
10. Love tennis
I consider myself a pretty good amateur player. Since leaving Peru, I have had little opportunity to practice, so I really hope to return to the field soon" - Red Doctor Prevost shared in an interview with Augustino right after being crowned red. He also said that in his free time, he likes to read books, walk and travel.
