How the horseriding maths whizz from Chicago Robert Prevost rose to top of church to become Pope Leo XIV
FROM a budding maths genius in the US to an adventurous missionary in Peru - horseriding Pope Leo XIV has now reached the highest summit in the Catholic Church.
History-maker
14
Former altar boy and maths student Robert Prevost was elected on May 8
Credit: Getty
14
A young 7-year-old Robert Prevost at the St. Mary of the Assumption School (4th left at the back row), 1962
14
Robert Prevost greets Pope John Paul II in 1982 after being ordained a priest
Credit: St. Mary of the Assumption Parish
14
Newly elected Pope Robert Prevost on a horse
Credit: Instagram/peandersongomes
Known as Father Bob,
The dark horse beat steep odds of 66/1 to become God's messenger on Earth before being unveiled to crowds of the faithful in Rome.
But his humble beginnings started all the way over in Chicago, Illinois, where he was born on September 14, 1955.
He was born to immigrant parents of French, Italian and Spanish descent.
READ MORE WORLD NEWS
Prevost's first religious gig saw him work as an altar boy at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, just outside the far South Side of
Chicago
.
He completed his secondary studies at St. Augustine Seminary High School in 1973 - where he was consistently on the honor roll and was even given a Letter of Commendation for impressive academic results.
The whizz-kid then earned a degree in mathematics at Villanova University in 1977.
The Pope-to-be then joined the Order of St. Augustine, taking his vows in 1978.
Most read in The Sun
He became a priest in 1982, with pictures showing the newly-ordained Rev. Robert Prevost greeting Pope John Paul II shortly after.
The multi-talented Catholic Church head can speak English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese - and can even read Latin and German.
President Trump is honored by new American Pope
After being ordained a priest, he joined a mission in
He returned to the US in 1999, but before that had returned regularly to serve as a pastor and a prior in his home city.
Despite being an American the new pontiff holds Peruvian nationality, and is a beloved figure in the country due to his work with marginalised communities.
Prevost spent 10 years as a local parish pastor and as a teacher at a seminary in Trujillo in northwestern
Peru
.
During his momentous first speech, Leo spoke fondly of his predecessor Francis.
He said: "We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us."
14
Pope Francis puts the red biretta on the head of new cardinal Robert Francis Prevost during a consistory in St. Peter Square at the Vatican, September 30, 2023
Credit: Alamy
14
Pope Francis served as pope from March 2013 to April 2025
Credit: AFP
14
Leo XIV told the crowds: "We must be a church that builds bridges"
Credit: AP
Pope Francis
made Prevost the Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru one year after he became Pope.
Prevost was known for his high-profile role as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Latin America - tasked with selecting and supervising bishops.
He was made archbishop in 2023 and within a few months he was promoted to the cardinal by Francis.
The horseriding Pope is seen as more traditional than Francis - but not the conservative hardliner some in the church were hoping for after his predecessor's efforts to make the faith more progressive.
The new pontiff urged people to "build bridges through dialogue, through encounter, to come together as one people, always in peace".
He also spoke in Spanish, saying to his South American friends: "I would particularly like to say hello to my compatriots from Peru.
"It was a great pleasure for me to work in Peru."
14
A person stands draped in a US flag after the appointment of Leo XIV
Credit: Reuters
14
Catholics celebrated the first American Pope in history
Credit: Reuters
14
Cardinals listen as newly elected Pope Leo delivers the 'Urbi et Orbi' message
Credit: Reuters
14
Crowds cheer and wave the stars and stripes
Credit: AFP
US President Trump was quick to congratulate the Pope Leo XIV and said it's "a great honour" for the US.
Sir
Keir Starmer
branded the election of the first American Pope as a 'momentous moment' and said that he looks 'forward to meeting the Holy Father and continuing to work closely with the Catholic Church'.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the new Pope.
He said: "Ukraine deeply values the Holy See's consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation's military aggression against
Ukraine
, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians.
Russian President
Vladimir Putin
said he hoped the American pontiff would engage in "constructive dialogue" with the
Kremlin
.
The new Pope's speech in full
Here is Leo XIV's speech from the Vatican balcony in full:
Peace be with all of you
Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected, the good pastor who gave life for the Lord and I would also like this greeting of peace to come into your hearts and join everyone, whoever they are, all peoples on the whole earth, peace be with you.
This is the peace of Christ resurrected, it's a peace that's disarming, humble and will also persevere and it comes from God, God who loves all of us unconditionally.
And let us keep hearing even the weak voices and Pope Francis was always courageous and blessed Rome.
The pope that blessed Rome, he is blessing the whole world on that Easter morning. So let us follow up that blessing.
God loves us, God loves all of you, sin will not prevail, we are all in the hands of God.
And at the same time without fear, let us be reunited hand in hand with God and amongst ourselves let's move forward because we are the disciples of Christ, Christ preceded us, the world needs your light, humanity needs him as a bridge in order to be able to get to God and reach God's love.
You must also help us and help one another. And we all must be a single peoples.
I would also like to thank all my brother cardinals who have chosen me to be the successor to Peter and to walk together with you as a united church always trying to find peace, justice and always trying to work as men and women faithful to Jesus Christ without fear and also to be missionaries.
I am a son of St Augustin, I am Christian with you and to that extent we can all walk together towards that land that God has prepared us for.
To the church of Rome, I would like to give you a speciial greeting. Together we must try to find out how to be a church that builds bridges, establishes dialogue, that's always open to receive on this piazza with open arms to anyone that needs our charity, our presents, dialogue and love.
And I would just like also t osay something in Spanish. I particularly like to say hello to my compatriots in Peru
To all of you, brothers and sisters, of Rome, the whole world, we need to be a church that walks a path of peace, that always looks for charity, that is always looking to be close especially to those that are suffering
Today, the day in which we pray to the Madonna of Pompeii, our mother Mary always wants to stay close to us and help us with her love and her intercession.
Let us pray together, this new mission, for the whole church, and for peace throughout the world.
And let's ask for this special grace for Mary, our mother. Hail Mary
The new Pope, who is active on social media, has repeatedly voiced his concerns over
Donald Trump
's
immigration
policies and shared his progressive views.
Both Leo and Francis were said to be close and Prevost was considered by Vatican insiders to be a potential kingmaker for the current election.
But few considered the new Leo XIV the likely winner of the secret vote.
The last pope to take the name Leo was Leo XIII, an Italian who led the church from 1878 to 1903.
14
White
The Pope greeted the world for the first time on the balcony in the iconic St Peter's Basilica overlooking St Peter's Square.
The newly elected pontiff appeared in papal robes - complete with a white silk sash and skullcap and red leather shoes.
The announcement of the new pope was made after clouds of white smoke or fumata bianca emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel as a bell rang.
Crowds of faithful Catholics erupted with joy and were seen cheering in the iconic St. Peter's Square.
14
Robert Prevost's first words as Pope were simply: "Peace be with you"
Credit: Reuters
14
The cardinal electors entering the Sistine Chapel at the beginning of the Conclave
Credit: EPA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Hero' India Air pilot ‘saved dozens of lives' with last gasp decision moments before doomed jet's horror crash
THE India Air pilot was hailed a hero yesterday by locals when he diverted the doomed jet at the last second to avoid their apartment block. All 18 families in the three-storey building under the flight path are convinced they owe their lives to 5 India Air pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was hailed a hero 5 The burnt out building at the site of the crash Credit: Dan Charity 5 Captain Sabharwal diverted the doomed jet at the last second to avoid an apartment block Credit: Dan Charity But with feet to spare, he managed to divert the plane carrying 242 passengers and crew towards a patch of grassland. The locals raced from their homes in Ahmedabad when a fireball from 90 tons of aviation fuel ignited as the plane slammed into the ground next to a medical college. The plane obliterated the top two floors of a disused four-storey military building. And the fire tore through the college's hostel, killing dozens of students and staff who were having lunch in the canteen. Read More on World News All but one of the He was the main carer for his father, now in his 80s, who he called before take-off. Colleagues paid tribute to Captain Sabharwal from Most read in The Sun Mum Geeta Patni, 48, who is one of the closest residents to the crash site, told The Sun: 'The building was shaking. We were so scared. 'There was chaos in the street and fire and smoke. What caused the Air India plane disaster? Six main theories emerge – from mystery over landing gear to 40C weather 'Any closer and we would have died. The pilot saved us. 'We have always worried this might happen because the planes go over so low.' Another resident, Jahanvi Rajput, 28, said: 'Thanks to the pilot Captain Sabharwal we survived. He's a hero. It is because of him we are alive. 'The green space next to us was visible to him and that's where he went.' Mum-of-two Chancal Bai, 50, said: 'If the plane had crashed into this residential area, there would have been hundreds more victims.' All of the bodies from the site have been recovered with just 32 indentified so far. British and American experts have joined India's National Disaster Response Force to scour the area. 5 Clive Kunder was the co-pilot on the doomed flight 5 Hundreds of desperate relatives have been gathering for news of loved ones at the local Civil Hospital. The first funeral service for a British victim was held yesterday, for Elcina Alpesh Makwana, 42, of Hounslow, Her uncle Joseph Patelia said: 'Before take-off, she called her father to say she'd boarded safely and would call once she landed in London. That call never came. 'She vanished, leaving us in shock, in tears, unable to believe what we're hearing.'
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Doomed Air India flight passenger's heartbreaking final words to her husband just minutes before take-off revealed
A WIFE on the doomed Air India flight excitedly called her husband just minutes before take-off to say she would be home soon. Nurat Jahar, 29, and care worker hubby Sohail Iproyaliya had gone to Gujarat to visit family at the start of May. Advertisement 4 Couple Nurat Jahar and husband Sohail Iproyaliya Credit: supplied 4 A crane lifting the tail of the airliner from debris of the wreckage in Ahmedabad Credit: AFP 4 The doomed jet seconds before the crash Credit: x/nchorAnandN He had to return home to Leicester a fortnight later, and Nurat was heading back on Thursday on tragic flight AI 171. She could not wait to see her husband of five years and called him one last time on her mobile as the But around an hour later, stunned Sohail was told she was dead. Heartbroken family friend Mohammed Ghanchi, 28, said: 'Sohail had to come home after two weeks because of work commitments but she stayed to look after her father while her brother went to Mecca.' Advertisement Read More on World News Another friend Shahrukh Mg, 33, added: 'They were very happy. We are all shocked at the loss. 'She was a very kind character, extremely friendly. Sohail is so upset. He flew to India yesterday.' The couple lived just a few hundred yards from the Leicester home of miracle survivor Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest It hit the hostel of a medical college 16 seconds later, erupting into a huge fireball. 'I opened my eyes & slipped out'…Brit sole survivor of Air India crash details escape Rescuers yesterday made a grim discovery of another body in the jet's tail section. Doctors are relying on DNA and dental records to identify the badly burnt remains. Advertisement King Charles led a minute's silence during yesterday's He requested the tribute himself and he and other senior royals in the parade wore black armbands. The King expressed his 'deepest possible sympathy'. Meanwhile, Indian politician Sanjay Raut speculated that the plane was downed by a 'cyber-attack'. Advertisement 4 The plane had recently completed the Paris-Delhi-Ahmedabad route without incident Credit: Reuters The The plane can fly with one engine, leading to theories that it may have had a rare double engine failure. British and American investigators have now joined the investigation. Advertisement The plane had recently completed the The pilot of the IndiGo budget airline flight immediately behind AI 171 on the runway aborted his own take-off when he realised something was wrong — and moments later watched as the plane crashed. Air India is to retire flight number AI 171. The Gatwick route will now be AI 159. Family at survivor's bedside By JULIA ATHERLEY MORE than 20 family members of the sole survivor of the Air India crash flew out to be at his bedside yesterday. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, from Leicester, lost his brother Ajay on the doomed 787 flight. The siblings were sitting on different sides of the same row, with Vishwash located near the emergency exit. His cousin Hiren Kantilal, 19, said: 'He can't believe he has lost his brother. We are all heartbroken that we lost him.' From his hospital bed, Vishwash detailed his miracle escape. He said: 'I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening, and crawled out. 'Everyone around me was either dead or dying. 'I still don't understand how I escaped.' Ketan Shah, from Advertisement The 43-year-old, who lived in Bournemouth with wife Megha and their teenage son and daughter, had run a village store in Shipton Bellinger, Hants, for 15 years. Fellow passenger Ash Harrington, 27, from Suffolk, was heading back to the UK on the flight with his father Suresh Patel and grandmother Radhabi Patel. His mother Andrea Bonner posted on social media: 'I will never heal this pain. RIP my son.' Orphan fund £400k A FUNDRAISER has been set up for two young sisters who were orphaned when their father was killed in the crash while returning from scattering his wife's ashes. Arjun Patoliya, 37, from Harrow, North West London, had flown to Gujarat to honour his wife Bharatiben, 42, who died of cancer in May. Last night the total donations stood at £400,000. All cash raised will go to a legal trust or appointed guardians for Jiya, eight, and four-year-old Roya. The GoFundMe page, set up by a family friend, said the money would provide 'security, stability and love in the years ahead'.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The £4.50 B&Q gadget gardeners are loving for removing stubborn dandelions in lawns & it works on all stubborn weeds
GARDENERS are raving over a B&Q weeding gadget that users say "takes the hard work out of weeding". The Magnusson Weeder features a carbon steel head designed to make uprooting pesky weeds as easy as possible. Advertisement 3 The £4.50 B&Q gadget gardeners are loving for removing stubborn dandelions in lawns Credit: B&Q 3 Dandelions are removed from a meadow (stock) Credit: Getty 3 A man pulling dandelion / weeds out from the grass (stock) Credit: Getty This sleek little tool can be bought from B&Q for just £4.50. It's the sort of gadget that will no doubt come in handy as avid gardeners look to spruce up their lawns and patios this summer. The retailer's website says: "This weeder is designed to make getting rid of deep-rooted weeds easier, the hand size with ergonomic handle means it's comfortable and quick to deweed small beds and borders." With the Advertisement Read more in fabulous Numerous shoppers have taken to B&Q's comments sections to praise the gadget's reliability. One said: "I bought this weeding tool for this year's dandelion season and it has proved to be a terrific addition to my garden tool collection. "The spoon-like addition on the handle of the tool makes it much easier to pull the weeds out of the ground, so it's easy to use." Many other reviewers were quick to echo how easy it is to use the tool. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive One user posted: "I bought two of these weeders... Very easy to use! "It's good for removing the dandelions in my lawn." Another said: "I've found this tool really useful for digging up weeds in the lawn. "I find it's best to dig it in as deep as possible before then levering up and on sturdy weeds i do it from a couple of different angles. Advertisement "Really takes the hard work out of weeding. I thought this was a great price too." The device also boasts an ergonomically designed handle aimed at improving user comfort. It measures 345mm (around 14 inches) in total. One user said: "Simple effective tool for weeding. Advertisement "I've only used it once so can't comment on how sturdy it is but seems like good value so far." Another wrote: "Very well made does not bend like other types I have tried." June gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you should take this month. Stake out leggy perennials With all the dramatic weather we've been having, it's definitely time to stake out your leggy perennials (the ones that come back every year). Heavy rain and growth spurts, can make them collapse and flop. Picking out the slugs and snails Hopefully as we move into summer they will do less damage as the plants get bigger. The best way is still to go out at night with a head torch to find them. Pick elderflower heads You can use them to make your own cordial, or add to cakes, champagne or even fry them in batter. Get on top of weeds It's around now that weeds really ramp up in the garden, so keep on top of them with hoe-ing - or just the traditional 'on your knees with a hand fork'. Try and avoid chemicals - remember weeds are just plants in the wrong place. Up the mowing You'll need to mow your lawn weekly now - if you've got time, weed it beforehand as once you mow you chop off the leaves and its harder to see them. Check on your tomatoes Your tomato plants will need attention - water, feed and regularly and pinch out the sideshoots. Chelsea Chop There's still time for the Chelsea Chop - plants like Rudbeckia's, Asters, Penstemons, Sedums and other perennials can be cut back by a third to help them get a bit more bushy, and prolong the flowering period. Sort out your tulips If you can be bothered and have space - lift and story your tulip bulbs to ensure colour next Spring. Deadheading your roses Take them down to the first set of healthy leaves - which will ensure more flowers for longer. Enjoy your space Take some time to sit and enjoy your garden or outside space - it's great for your mental health. Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
