Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV

267th Pope of the Catholic Church

"Peace be with you all! Dear brothers and sisters, these are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for God’s flock. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world. Peace be with you!" — Greeting of Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, was elected the 267th pope on May 8, 2025, and took the name Pope Leo XIV. He follows Pope Francis who died April 21, 2025. | Read "Catholics across Arkansas rejoice for Pope Leo XIV."

Pope Leo XIV formally began his ministry as bishop of Rome during the "Mass for the Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry" in St. Peter's Square May 18, 2025. It marked "the visible and public start of his pontificate while grounding it in the Catholic Church's apostolic continuity." Although he became pope the moment he accepted his election in the Sistine Chapel on May 8, the installation Mass "offered the universal Church a moment of shared prayer and liturgical celebration to begin the pontificate." | Read about his installation.

He is the first North American to be elected pope. He is also the first from the religious Order of St. Augustine (OSA). He was born on Sept. 14, 1955, in Chicago, to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent. He has two brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph. He speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese and can read Latin and German. A longtime missionary in Peru, the 69-year-old pope holds both U.S. and Peruvian citizenship. | Read his biography. | Motto and Coat of Arms

"The new pope’s choice of name is a 'direct recall of the social doctrine of the Church and of the pope that initiated the modern social doctrine of the Church,' Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, told reporters after the election of the new pope. 

"Pope Leo XIII, who was pope from 1878-1903, is known for publishing the encyclical 'Rerum Novarum' on workers’ rights — considered the foundational document for the Church’s social teaching. The document emphasized the dignity of workers and condemned the dangers of unchecked capitalism and socialism." Read Arkansas Catholic to learn more.

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