At the historical moment for the Roman Catholic Church he was 267. At the age of 69 he became the first American Pope to identify an important milestone in the global development of the Church.
Humble beginnings in Chicago
He was born on September 14, 1955 in Chicago in Illinois and grew up in Dolton, a suburb south of the city. His upbringing was deeply rooted in duty: his father Louis Marius Pestost was a veteran of the US Navy and school administrator, while his mother, Mildred Martínez, brought the Spanish heritage that formed his multicultural worldview. He is the center of three brothers.
The academic journey combined faith and intellect. After participating in the smaller seminar of the Order of St. Augustine, won the title of mathematics at Villan University in 1977. Later he watched theology in the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and specialized in canonical law at the Roman pontifical University of Thomas Aquinas.
Missionary zeal and service
The commitment to the missionary work was the central point of his priesthood. He entered the novitiate of the Order of St. Augustine in 1977 and took his festive promises in 1981 and was consecrated in 1982. His long Ministry in Peru – from 1985 to 1998 – serves as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminar teacher and administrator. His deep connection with Peru led to his naturalization as a Peruvian citizen in 2015 and underlined his dual identity as an American and Latin American church.
Leading in the global church
The rise of the prestige in the hierarchy of the Church reflects its leadership and determination. From 2001 to 2013 he worked as previous general Augustinians, a key role that has given him global visibility. In 2015, Pope Francis appointed him a bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, and by 2023 he was appointed Dicaster Prefect for Bishops and President Pontifical Commission for Latin America. In the same year he was promoted to the cardinal, which is a move that was considered to be recognized by his extensive experience and trusted leadership.
New papacy
Pope Leo XIV, elected after only two days Conclavening, chose a name that remembers Pope Leo XIII, celebrated for his focus on the rights of social justice and workers – a hint of his own priorities. In his first papal address, Leo XIV emphasized the topics of peace, unity and inclusion and offered a special word through Peruvian believers, reflecting his lifelong bond with Latin America.
Multilingual leader
Fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, Italian, French and Portuguese – with reading Latin and German knowledge – Leo XIV is known for its quiet humility and administrative skill. Frequently described as someone who avoids the reflector, yet appeared as a permanent hand capable of managing the global church at the time of transition and opportunity.
(Tagstotranslate) Pope Leo XIV
