History of Pope Leo XIV in Timeline

Pope Leo XIV is the leader of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of Vatican City. He is the first Pope born in the United States and the first to hold either U.S. or Peruvian citizenships. He is also the first from the Order of Saint Augustine and the second from the Americas to hold the papacy.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1903: Death of Pope Leo XIII

Pope Leo XIV chose his regnal name in honor of Pope Leo XIII (r. 1878-1903). Pope Leo XIII died in 1903.

1946: Pope Leo's favorite movie: It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life, released in 1946, is among Pope Leo's favorite movies.

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September 14, 1955: Robert Francis Prevost Born

On September 14, 1955, Robert Francis Prevost was born. He would later become Pope Leo XIV, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. He is the first pope born in the United States.

Others born on this day/year

1965: Pope Leo's favorite movie: The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music, released in 1965, is among Pope Leo's favorite movies.

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1969: Attended St. Augustine Seminary High School

In 1969, Prevost began attending St. Augustine Seminary High School.

1973: Ended Attendance at St. Augustine Seminary High School

In 1973, Prevost ended his attendance at St. Augustine Seminary High School.

1973: Enrolled in Villanova University

In 1973, Prevost enrolled in Villanova University after Tolentine College closed.

September 1, 1977: Entered Order of Saint Augustine's Novitiate

On September 1, 1977, Prevost entered the Order of Saint Augustine's novitiate in the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel.

1977: Entered Order of Saint Augustine

In 1977, Prevost became a friar in the Order of Saint Augustine.

1977: Earned Bachelor of Science Degree

In 1977, Prevost earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in mathematics from Villanova University.

September 2, 1978: Took First Vows

On September 2, 1978, Prevost took his first vows.

1980: Pope Leo's favorite movie: Ordinary People

Ordinary People, released in 1980, is among Pope Leo's favorite movies.

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September 10, 1981: Ordained a Deacon

On September 10, 1981, Prevost was ordained a deacon by Thomas Gumbleton.

June 19, 1982: Ordained a Priest

On June 19, 1982, Prevost was ordained a priest in Rome.

1982: Obtained Master of Divinity

In 1982, Prevost obtained a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Catholic Theological Union and taught physics and math at St. Rita of Cascia High School.

1982: Ordained as Priest

In 1982, Prevost was ordained as a priest.

1984: Earned Licentiate of Canon Law

In 1984, Prevost earned a Licentiate of Canon Law (JCL) from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

1985: Joined Augustinian Mission in Peru

In 1985, Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru, serving as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas, as well as an aide to bishop John McNabb.

1987: Earned Doctor of Canon Law Degree

In 1987, Prevost earned a Doctor of Canon Law (JCD) degree from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

1987: Publication of Doctoral Dissertation

In 1987, Prevost's doctoral dissertation, "The Office and Authority of the Local Prior in the Order of Saint Augustine", was published by the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

1987: Returned to Illinois as Vocation Director

In 1987, after defending his doctoral thesis, Prevost was vocation director and missions director of the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel in Olympia Fields, Illinois.

1988: Returned to Peru

In 1988, Prevost returned to Peru.

1991: Suspension of James Ray

In 1991, James Ray was suspended from public ministry due to credible accusations that he had sexually abused minors.

1992: Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of Montserrat

In 1992, Prevost became the parochial administrator of Our Lady of Montserrat, Trujillo, a position he held until 1999.

1997: Pope Leo's favorite movie: Life Is Beautiful

Life Is Beautiful, released in 1997, is among Pope Leo's favorite movies.

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1998: Elected Prior Provincial

In 1998, Prevost was elected Prior Provincial of the Order of St. Augustine's Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel based in Chicago.

March 8, 1999: Assumed Role as Prior Provincial

On March 8, 1999, Prevost assumed the role of Prior Provincial of the Order of St. Augustine's Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel based in Chicago.

1999: End of Term as Parochial Administrator

In 1999, Prevost's term as parochial administrator of Our Lady of Montserrat, Trujillo ended.

2000: Allowed James Ray to Reside at St. John Stone Friary

In 2000, Prevost permitted James Ray, a priest accused of sexual abuse, to reside at St. John Stone Friary in Chicago under supervision.

2001: Elected Prior General

In 2001, Prevost was elected prior general of the Order of Saint Augustine.

2002: Ray Moved to Other Housing

In 2002, James Ray was moved to other housing after American bishops implemented stricter rules in the Dallas Charter.

2002: Publication of the Order of Saint Augustine

In 2002, when Prevost was global head of the Augustinians, the Rule and Constitutions of the Order of Saint Augustine was issued by Authority of the Prior General, Robert F. Prevost.

2004: Met Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio

In 2004, Prevost visited Buenos Aires and met Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis.

2005: Leo attends 2005 World Series Game 1

In 2005, Leo XIV, a lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox, attended Game 1 of the World Series at US Cellular Field.

2007: Alleged Abuse by Priests

In 2007, alleged victims of abuse by priests Ricardo Yesquén Paiva and Eleuterio Vásquez Gonzáles said the Diocese of Chiclayo failed to investigate their cases.

2008: Prevost votes in 2008 Democratic presidential primary

In 2008, Prevost voted in the Democratic presidential primary in Will County, Illinois.

2010: Prevost votes in 2010 Illinois gubernatorial election

In 2010, Prevost voted in the Democratic primary for the Illinois gubernatorial election.

2012: Prevost criticizes sympathy for "homosexual lifestyle"

In 2012, Prevost criticized popular culture's sympathy for the "homosexual lifestyle" and same-sex families.

2012: Prevost votes in 2012 Republican presidential primary

In 2012, Prevost voted in the Republican presidential primary in Will County, Illinois.

2013: Director of Formation

From 2013, Prevost served as director of formation at the Convent of St. Augustine in Chicago.

2013: End of Second Term as Prior General

In 2013, Prevost concluded his two consecutive six-year terms as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine.

November 3, 2014: Appointed Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo

On November 3, 2014, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as the apostolic administrator of Chiclayo and the titular bishop of Sufar.

December 12, 2014: Consecrated as Titular Bishop of Sufar

On December 12, 2014, Prevost was consecrated as the titular bishop of Sufar at St. Mary Cathedral by Archbishop Green.

2014: Provincial Vicar

In 2014, Prevost served as first councilor and provincial vicar of the province of Our Mother of Good Counsel.

2014: Prevost votes in 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election

In 2014, Prevost voted in the Republican primary for the Illinois gubernatorial election.

2014: Villanova awards Leo honorary degree

Villanova awarded Leo an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 2014.

September 26, 2015: Named Bishop of Chiclayo

On September 26, 2015, Prevost was named Bishop of Chiclayo.

2015: Became Bishop of Chiclayo

In 2015, Prevost returned to Peru and became Bishop of Chiclayo.

2015: Alteration of Pallium Custom by Francis

In 2015, the custom of the pope himself giving archbishops the pallium was altered by Francis, a custom that Leo XIV chose to restore.

April 2016: Prevost opposes gender ideology in schools

In April 2016, Prevost opposed the inclusion of "gender ideology" in Peruvian primary school curricula, stating that telling a child that they have not yet reached a sufficient level of development to choose regarding sexual identity and orientation will create a lot of confusion.

2016: Prevost votes in 2016 Republican presidential primary

In 2016, Prevost voted in the Republican presidential primary in Will County, Illinois.

2017: Prevost supports gun control measures after Las Vegas shooting

Following the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Prevost reposted a statement by Blase Cupich calling for "increased access to mental health care and stronger, sensible gun control laws". He also shared a post criticizing political inaction on gun safety.

2017: Criticized President Kuczynski's Pardon of Fujimori

In 2017, Prevost criticized President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's decision to pardon Alberto Fujimori, calling upon Fujimori to apologize for injustices committed.

2018: Agreement between China and the Holy See

In 2018, an agreement was made between the People's Republic of China and the Holy See under Pope Francis.

July 13, 2019: Appointed to Congregation for the Clergy

On July 13, 2019, Prevost was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Clergy.

April 15, 2020: Became Apostolic Administrator of Callao

On April 15, 2020, Prevost became apostolic administrator of Callao.

November 21, 2020: Joined Congregation for Bishops

On November 21, 2020, Prevost joined the Congregation for Bishops.

2020: Beirut Explosion

In November 27, 2025, during his visit to Lebanon, Leo visited and prayed at the site of the 2020 Beirut explosion.

March 1, 2021: Private Audience with Pope Francis

On March 1, 2021, Prevost had a private audience with Pope Francis.

2021: Reporting on Placement of James Ray in Friary

In 2021, Prior to Prevost's appointment to the Vatican, there were reports regarding Prevost allowing the placement of James Ray in a friary.

2021: Promulgation of Traditionis custodes

In September 2025, Leo XIV gave permission for the Tridentine Mass to be said in St. Peter's Basilica for the first time since the promulgation of Traditionis custodes in 2021.

April 2022: Met with Abuse Victims

In April 2022, the Diocese of Chiclayo stated that Prevost met with Ana María Quispe and her sisters to personally attend the victims and encouraged them to initiate a civil action, and initiated a canonical investigation.

January 30, 2023: Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops

On January 30, 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops with the title Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo.

May 2023: Views on Synodality and Episcopal Leadership

In May 2023, Prevost discussed synodality, suggesting the participation and co-responsibility of all the faithful could address polarization in the church, and stated that episcopal leadership should prioritize faith over administration.

May 2023: Participated in Latin American Episcopal Council Meetings

In May 2023, Prevost participated in the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council meetings in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

May 2023: Interview on Social Media

In a May 2023 interview, Prevost stressed the need for prudence and responsibility on using social media to preclude fueling divisions and controversy.

September 30, 2023: Prevost created Cardinal

On September 30, 2023, Francis created Prevost a cardinal with the rank of Cardinal-Deacon and assigned him the deaconry of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani, which increased his visibility within the church and elevated his prominence as a papal candidate.

October 2023: Comments on Ordination of Women

In October 2023, Prevost discussed the ordination of women, stating that the church's tradition makes it impossible to consider women as priests, but noted openness to considering women as deacons.

2023: Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops

In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome, and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Upon his return to Rome, Prevost was made a cardinal.

2023: Law Allowing Women to Become President of the Pontifical Commission

In 2023, a law allowed women to become president of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State.

2023: Prevost says "many things have changed"

In 2023, when asked by Catholic News Service whether his views from 2012 had changed, Prevost said that "many things have changed" and emphasized the church should be more open and welcoming though he cautioned that church doctrine has not changed.

2023: Statement on Peruvian Protests

In the midst of the Peruvian protests in 2023, Prevost expressed sadness and pain over the deaths during the protests.

August 2024: Comments on Liturgy

In August 2024, Prevost stated that liturgy needs to be beautiful to help us and strengthen us in our faith.

November 2024: Pope advocates for stronger church action on climate change

In a November 2024 seminar, the Pope advocated for stronger church action on climate change, stating that "dominion over nature" should not be "tyrannical".

2024: Prevost votes in 2024 United States general election

In 2024, Prevost voted in the United States general election.

2024: Allegation of No Full Investigation

In 2024, the sisters stated that no full penal canonical investigation occurred, and an investigation by América Televisión concluded that the church's investigation was not thorough.

February 6, 2025: Prevost promoted to cardinal-bishop

On February 6, 2025, Francis promoted Prevost to cardinal-bishop and assigned him as titular bishop of the Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano.

April 2025: Description as Cosmopolitan and Shy

In April 2025, the Italian newspaper la Repubblica stated that Prevost was seen as a "cosmopolitan and shy figure" who was "appreciated by conservatives and progressives" within the church.

May 8, 2025: Prevost Elected Pope Leo XIV

On May 8, 2025, Prevost was elected pope on the fourth ballot of the conclave and chose the papal name Leo XIV.

May 2025: Cardinal Hollerich speculates on Fiducia supplicans

In May 2025, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich told La Stampa that he believed Pope Leo "might re-interpret" Fiducia supplicans, but not "abolish" it.

May 2025: Leo XIV advocates for traditional family structure

In May 2025, Leo XIV stated that governments should build peaceful societies "above all by investing in the family, founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman."

May 18, 2025: Inauguration Mass in St. Peter's Square

During his Inauguration Mass in St. Peter's Square on May 18, 2025, Leo XIV used the ferula of Pope Paul VI.

June 5, 2025: Nomination of Joseph Lin Yuntuan

On June 5, 2025, Leo nominated Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou.

June 2025: Urging Reason Following Israeli Strikes

Following the Israeli strikes on Iran in June 2025, Leo urged Iranian and Israeli authorities to act with "reason".

July 2025: Vatican official comments on blessing same-sex unions

In July 2025, Víctor Manuel Fernández, head of the Vatican doctrine office, told Il Messaggero that he believed the blessing of those in same-sex unions, which had been approved under Pope Francis, would continue under Pope Leo.

September 7, 2025: Canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati

On September 7, 2025, Leo presided over the canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati at a mass in Saint Peter's Square.

September 2025: Permission for Tridentine Mass

In September 2025, Leo gave permission for the Tridentine Mass to be said in St. Peter's Basilica, the first time such permission had been granted since the promulgation of Traditionis custodes in 2021.

September 2025: Leo XIV discusses LGBTQ+ inclusion with Reverend Martin

In September 2025, Leo told Reverend James J. Martin, a major advocate for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Church, that he would continue Francis' legacy of welcoming LGBTQ+ people into the Church. Martin described their discussion as "very consoling and very encouraging and frankly a lot of fun."

September 2025: Criticism of Treatment of Migrants in the U.S.

In September 2025, Pope Leo XIV reiterated past criticisms of the second Trump administration, remarking on the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States.

October 2025: Association with Leo XIII Confirmed

In October 2025, Leo XIV confirmed the association with Leo XIII in an address to the World Meeting of Popular Movements.

October 2025: Religious Freedom Address

In October 2025, Leo stated that religious freedom is "not optional but essential" during an audience with pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need, before the launch of its Religious Freedom in the World Report.

October 2025: Leo opposes the death penalty

In October 2025, Pope Leo stated that being against abortion while supporting the death penalty or inhumane treatment of immigrants is inconsistent with being truly pro-life. This comment received backlash from conservatives.

October 23, 2025: King Charles III appoints Leo Honorary Knight Grand Cross

On October 23, 2025, King Charles III appointed Leo an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath during the King's state visit to the Holy See. At the same event, Leo accepted the title of Papal Confrater of St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.

November 2025: First International Trip to Turkey

In November 2025, Leo XIV's first international trip as pontiff was to Turkey to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea with other Christians.

November 21, 2025: Amendment to Vatican City State Law

On November 21, 2025, Leo signed an amendment to the 2023 law allowing women to become president of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State.

November 27, 2025: First Overseas Visit to Turkey

On November 27, 2025, Leo made his first overseas visit as pope, arriving in Turkey to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea with Patriarch Bartholomew of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

December 2025: Leo expresses disappointment over Illinois assisted suicide bill

In December 2025, Pope Leo expressed his disappointment with Illinois for approving a bill allowing medically assisted suicide. He stated that euthanasia and abortion "discard the weakest" and disregard the value of life. He also mentioned speaking with Governor JB Pritzker, urging him not to sign the bill into law.

2025: Leo denounces "pandemic of arms" after church shooting

In 2025, Pope Leo denounced what he called a "pandemic of arms" following the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting.

2025: Elected Pope Leo XIV

In 2025, Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV in a conclave. He chose the name Leo XIV to echo Leo XIII's concern for workers and fairness, and as a response to the challenges of a new industrial revolution and artificial intelligence.

2025: Pope praises Laudato si'

Shortly after his election in 2025, the Pope praised the document Laudato si' and said that it was "even more relevant today", ten years after it was written.