Childhood and Education Journey of Pope Leo XIV in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Pope Leo XIV. From birth to education, explore key events.

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

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.

1988: Returned to Peru

In 1988, Prevost returned to Peru.

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

2020: Beirut Explosion

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

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.

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.

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."

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 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."

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.

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: 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.