Career Timeline of Pope Leo XIV: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Pope Leo XIV made an impact.

Pope Leo XIV is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. He marks several firsts: the first Pope born in the United States and North America, the first with U.S. or Peruvian citizenship, the first born after World War II, the first from the Order of Saint Augustine, and the second from the Americas. These distinctions highlight his unique background and place in papal history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

September 1, 1977: Joined the Order of Saint Augustine

On September 1, 1977, Robert Francis Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine as a novice.

1977: Became a Friar

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

1977: Earned Bachelor of Science Degree

In 1977, Robert Francis Prevost earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Villanova University.

September 2, 1978: Took First Vows

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

September 10, 1981: Ordained a Deacon

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

June 19, 1982: Ordained a Priest

On June 19, 1982, Robert Francis Prevost was ordained a priest in Rome by Archbishop Jean Jadot.

1982: Obtained Master of Divinity

In 1982, Robert Francis 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 a Priest

In 1982, Robert Francis Prevost was ordained as a priest.

1984: Earned Licentiate of Canon Law

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

1985: Joined Augustinian Mission

In 1985, Robert Francis Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru, serving as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas.

1986: Served as chancellor

In 1986, Robert Francis Prevost served as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas and an aide to bishop John McNabb.

1987: Earned Doctor of Canon Law Degree

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

1987: Vocation and Missions Director

In 1987, after defending his doctoral thesis, Robert Francis Prevost became 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, Robert Francis Prevost returned to Peru after working in Illinois and Wisconsin.

1998: Elected Prior Provincial

In 1998, Robert Francis 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, Robert Francis Prevost assumed the role of Prior Provincial of the Order of St. Augustine's Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel based in Chicago.

2001: Elected Prior General

In 2001, Robert Francis Prevost was elected Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine.

2013: Director of Formation

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

2013: Returned to Peru as Bishop

In 2013, Robert Francis Prevost returned to Peru.

2013: End of Term as Prior General

In 2013, Robert Francis Prevost's tenure as the global head of the Augustinian order concluded, after serving two consecutive, six-year terms.

November 3, 2014: Appointed Apostolic Administrator

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

December 12, 2014: Consecrated as Bishop

On December 12, 2014, Robert Francis Prevost was consecrated as bishop at St. Mary Cathedral by Archbishop James Green.

2014: Director of Formation

Until 2014, Robert Francis Prevost served as director of formation at the Convent of St. Augustine in Chicago.

September 26, 2015: Named Bishop of Chiclayo

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

2015: Bishop of Chiclayo

In 2015, Robert Francis Prevost became Bishop of Chiclayo.

July 13, 2019: Appointed to Congregation for the Clergy

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

April 15, 2020: Became Apostolic Administrator of Callao

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

November 21, 2020: Joined Congregation for Bishops

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

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

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

May 2023: Participated in Council Meetings

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

September 30, 2023: Created a Cardinal

On September 30, 2023, Pope Francis created Robert Francis Prevost a cardinal with the rank of Cardinal-Deacon.

October 2023: Appointed to Additional Dicasteries

In October 2023, Pope Francis appointed Robert Francis Prevost as a member of seven additional dicasteries and named him to the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State.

2023: Appointed Prefect

In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Robert Francis Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

2023: Made a Cardinal

In 2023, upon returning to Rome, Robert Francis Prevost was made a cardinal by Pope Francis and addressed issues such as climate change, global migration, church governance, and human rights.

February 6, 2025: Promotion to Cardinal-Bishop

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

May 8, 2025: Election as Pope

On May 8, 2025, Prevost was elected pope, taking the name Leo XIV, on the second day of the conclave after four ballots. The announcement was made from St. Peter's Basilica.

June 2025: Call for Reason in Israeli-Iranian Conflict

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

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

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

September 2025: Views on the War

In September 2025, Pope Leo XIV said that the Vatican "at this time" cannot define the war as a "genocide", but he also noted that more and more people have described it as such. Leo also issued prayers for those affected by the clashes in southern Syria, and the 2025 Cambodia–Thailand clashes.