History of Pope Leo XIV in Timeline

Pope Leo XIV is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. He distinguishes himself as the first pope born in the United States and North America, holding both American and Peruvian citizenships. Furthermore, he is the first from the Order of Saint Augustine and the second pope from the Americas, following Pope Francis.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1903: Reign of Leo XIII

Pope Leo XIII reigned until 1903.

September 14, 1955: Birth of Robert Francis Prevost

On September 14, 1955, Robert Francis Prevost, who later became Pope Leo XIV, was born. He is the first pope born in the United States and North America, with American and Peruvian citizenships, and the first from the Order of Saint Augustine.

Others born on this day/year

1969: Attended St. Augustine Seminary High School

From 1969, Robert Francis Prevost attended St. Augustine Seminary High School near Saugatuck, Michigan.

1973: End of High School Education

In 1973, Robert Francis Prevost finished attending St. Augustine Seminary High School.

1973: Enrolled in Villanova University

In 1973, after Tolentine College closed, Robert Francis Prevost enrolled in Villanova University near Philadelphia.

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: Joined Order of Saint Augustine

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

1977: Earned Bachelor of Science Degree

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

September 2, 1978: Took First Vows

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

August 29, 1981: Made 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.

1982: Obtained Master of Divinity Degree

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 Peru

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

1986: Served as Chancellor of Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas

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

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: Published Doctoral Dissertation

In 1987, Robert Francis 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: Vocation and Missions Director

In 1987, after defending his doctoral thesis, Robert Francis 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, Robert Francis Prevost returned to Peru to continue his missionary work.

1991: Suspension from Public Ministry

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

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 as Prior Provincial of the Order of St. Augustine's Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel based in Chicago.

2000: Permitted Placement of Suspended Priest in Friary

In 2000, Robert Francis Prevost permitted James Ray, a priest suspended due to sexual abuse accusations, to reside at St. John Stone Friary in Chicago under supervision.

2001: Elected Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine

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

2002: Ray Moved to Other Housing

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

2002: Issued Rule and Constitutions of the Order of Saint Augustine

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

2004: First Meeting with Jorge Mario Bergoglio

In 2004, Robert Francis Prevost visited Buenos Aires and met Cardinal Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio for the first time.

2005: Leo attends Game 1 of the 2005 World Series

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

2007: Alleged Abuse Cases

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

2008: Prevost votes in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary

Prevost voted in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary election.

2010: Prevost votes in the 2010 Democratic primary for Illinois gubernatorial election

Prevost voted in the 2010 Democratic primary for 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 the 2012 Republican presidential primary

Prevost voted in the 2012 Republican presidential primary election.

2013: Director of Formation

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

2013: End of Tenure as Prior General

In 2013, Robert Francis Prevost's tenure as Prior General ended, and he reconciled with Cardinal Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio before leaving Rome.

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's Cathedral in Chiclayo.

2014: Director of Formation and Provincial Vicar

In 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.

2014: Villanova awards Prevost honorary degree

In 2014, Villanova University awarded Prevost an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.

2014: Prevost votes in the 2014 Republican primary for Illinois gubernatorial election

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

September 26, 2015: Named Bishop of Chiclayo

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

2015: Appointed Bishop of Chiclayo

In 2015, Robert Francis Prevost was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru.

2015: Francis alters custom of pallium giving

In 2015, the custom of the pope himself giving archbishops the pallium was altered by Francis.

April 2016: Prevost opposes inclusion of gender ideology

In April 2016, Prevost opposed the inclusion of "gender ideology" in Peruvian primary school curricula, stating it promotes "genders that don't exist".

2016: Prevost votes in the 2016 Republican presidential primary

Prevost voted in the 2016 Republican presidential primary election.

2017: Criticized Pardon of Fujimori

In 2017, Robert Francis Prevost criticized President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's decision to pardon Alberto Fujimori and called for Fujimori to apologize for injustices.

2018: Served on Permanent Council

From 2018 to 2020, Robert Francis Prevost served on the permanent council.

2018: Agreement between China and Holy See

In 2018, there was an agreement 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, 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.

March 1, 2021: Private Audience with Pope Francis

On March 1, 2021, Robert Francis Prevost had a private audience with Pope Francis, sparking speculation about a new role in Chicago or Rome.

2021: Reporting Prior to Appointment

In 2021, prior to Robert Francis Prevost's appointment to the Vatican, the Augustinians said "the location was selected because of the supervision the priest would receive."

April 2022: Met with Alleged Victims

In April 2022, the Diocese of Chiclayo stated that Robert Francis Prevost met with Ana María Quispe and her sisters to personally attend the victims.

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.

May 2023: Prevost on synodality and episcopal leadership

In May 2023, Prevost discussed synodality, episcopal leadership, and renewal within the church. He suggested that the faithful's participation could address polarization and emphasized that episcopal leadership should prioritize faith over administration.

May 2023: Prevost's views on social media

In May 2023, Prevost emphasized the importance of using social media responsibly to avoid "fueling divisions and controversy" and harming the Church's communion.

May 2023: Participated in Episcopal 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.

October 2023: Prevost discusses ordination of women

In October 2023, Prevost discussed the ordination of women, noting the church's long tradition makes it impossible to consider women as priests but that the possibility of women deacons has been the subject of Vatican commissions.

2023: Prevost on Peruvian protests

During the Peruvian protests in 2023, Prevost expressed sadness and pain over the deaths and stated his desire to remain in Peru.

2023: Appointed Prefect of 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: Prevost says views have changed

When asked in 2023 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.

August 2024: Prevost on Liturgy

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

November 2024: Prevost 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".

2024: Victims State No Full Investigation Occurred

In 2024, the sisters of Ana María Quispe stated that no full penal canonical investigation occurred into their allegations of abuse.

2024: Prevost votes in the 2024 United States general election

Prevost voted in the 2024 United States general election.

February 6, 2025: Promoted to Cardinal-Bishop

On February 6, 2025, Pope Francis promoted Robert Francis Prevost to cardinal-bishop.

April 2025: La Repubblica describes Prevost

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

May 8, 2025: Election of Pope Leo XIV

On May 8, 2025, Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV on the second day of the conclave after the fourth ballot. White smoke signaled the selection to the public. After accepting the election, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced Pope Leo XIV to the public. Approximately 150,000 people were in St. Peter's Square at the time.

May 2025: Cardinal Hollerich on Fiducia Supplicans

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

May 2025: Prevost on building peaceful societies

In May 2025, Prevost stated that it was up to governments to 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 of Leo XIV

On May 18, 2025, during his Inauguration Mass in St Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV used the ferula of Pope Paul VI and received another pectoral cross, which he has been wearing instead of the one he wore during the conclave and his first appearance as pope.

June 2025: Pope Leo XIV urges reason after Israeli strikes on Iran

Following the Israeli strikes on Iran in June 2025, Pope Leo called for reason.

July 6, 2025: Revival of Summer Residence at Castel Gandolfo

On July 6, 2025, Pope Leo XIV reinstated the papal tradition of spending the summer at the Castel Gandolfo, a practice that his predecessor, Pope Francis, had discontinued.

July 2025: Blessing of same-sex unions

In July 2025, Víctor Manuel Fernández told Il Messaggero that he thought the blessing of those in same-sex unions would continue under Pope Leo.

2025: Election as Pope Leo XIV

In 2025, Robert Francis Prevost was unexpectedly elected as Pope Leo XIV, following the 2025 conclave. He chose his papal name in honor of Pope Leo XIII.