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, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City since 2025, holds several distinctions. He is the first pope born in the United States and North America, the first with Peruvian citizenship, the second from the Americas, and the first belonging to the Order of Saint Augustine. These unique characteristics mark a significant moment in the history of the papacy.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

September 1, 1977: Joined 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 of the Order of Saint Augustine.

September 2, 1978: First Vows

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

1980: Pact between Holy See and Peru

In 1980, A pact between the Holy See and Peru requires Robert Francis Prevost to become a naturalized Peruvian citizen before becoming bishop.

August 29, 1981: Solemn Vows

On August 29, 1981, Robert Francis Prevost made his solemn 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: Ordained as a Priest

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

1985: Joined Augustinian Mission in Peru

In 1985, Robert Francis Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru.

1986: Chancellor of Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas

In 1986, Robert Francis Prevost served as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas.

1987: Vocation and Missions Director

In 1987, Robert Francis Prevost was the 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.

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.

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, and as first councilor and provincial vicar of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel.

2013: End of Term as Prior General

In 2013, Robert Francis Prevost completed his two terms as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine.

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 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's Cathedral in Chiclayo.

2014: Director of Formation

Until 2014, Robert Francis Prevost served as director of formation at the Convent of St. Augustine in Chicago, and as first councilor and provincial vicar of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel.

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 the Bishop of Chiclayo.

2018: Served on Permanent Council

From 2018 to 2020, Robert Francis Prevost served on the permanent council in the Episcopal Conference of Peru

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: Appointed 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 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 CELAM Meetings

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

September 30, 2023: Created a Cardinal

On September 30, 2023, Francis created Robert Francis Prevost a cardinal with the rank of cardinal-deacon and assigned the deaconry of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani.

October 2023: Appointed to Additional Dicasteries

In October 2023, 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 to the Dicastery for Bishops

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

2023: Support for Venezuelan Refugees

In 2023, Prevost expressed support for the plight of Venezuelan refugees in Peru.

November 2024: Advocacy for Stronger Church Action on Climate Change

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

February 6, 2025: Promoted to Cardinal-Bishop

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

May 8, 2025: Election as Pope Leo XIV

On May 8, 2025, Prevost was elected pope on the second day of the conclave, on the fourth ballot. White smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel at 18:07 CEST, indicating the selection of a pope. After accepting his election and choosing the name Leo XIV, he greeted the cardinals. Cardinal Mamberti announced "Habemus papam", and up to 150,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square.

May 18, 2025: Inauguration Mass

On May 18, 2025, during his Inauguration Mass in St Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV used the ferula of Pope Paul VI which is most commonly associated with Pope John Paul II, and frequently used by Francis. Pope Leo XIV received another pectoral cross upon his election, which he has been wearing instead of the one he wore during the conclave and his first appearance as pope. This one is silver, with relics of St. Leo the Great, St. Augustine, St. Thomas of Villanova, and Blessed Anselmo Polanco Fontecha.

2025: Elected Pope

In 2025, Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. He is the first pope born in the United States and North America.

2025: Election in Papal Conclave

In 2025, Robert Francis Prevost's election in the papal conclave was unexpected, as he was considered a dark horse candidate. He chose the papal name Leo XIV in honor of Pope Leo XIII.