“In childhood we played mass.” Leon XIV already as a child heard that he would be a pope

When the conclave began, few mentioned Cardinal Robert Prevost among the favorites for the Pope. Even now, publicists dealing with church theme say that “the average American has never heard the name Prevost in his life.” At the same time, the media in the United States evoke his brother's words. He claims that when Robert was a child of several years, one of the neighbors said that he would become the first American pope. The brother felt similarly.

“Are you kidding?” – It was Holly's first thought when she learned that her childhood friend became a pope. – Robbie was very nice. In my childhood we played in a mass, I say seriously. We took such small wafers, broke them and pretended to receive Holy Communion – recalls Holly, a childhood friend of Pope Leon XIV.

On Thursday, the same Robbie, or Robert Francis Prevost, was presented to the world as Pope Leon XIV. Last week he was a rather little -known American cardinal, whose friends describe as a modest, simple man. During his holidays he lived in modest conditions.

Immigrant roots of Leon XIV

Most of his childhood lived in Polton in the suburbs of Chicago, where he was born. His grandparents were immigrants, and his parents – a pedagogue's father and a librarian mother – had Spanish -French -Italian roots. They raised three children.

– In some way we knew it was special. We teased that he would become a pope when he was six – recalls Louis Prevost, brother of Leon XIV.

However, before today 69-year-old Robert Prevost became a pope, he was an altar boy in a local church, and later he went to Pennsylvania, where he studied mathematics. He returned to Chicago to study theology.

– He was a good cook. He liked to cook. He often made a pizza for us – says John Lydon from the Catholic Theological Association in Chicago, who studied with Pope Leon XIV. – he also studied in ItalySo he learned to do it well – he adds.

At the age of 27 he was ordained a priest. In Italy – specifically in Rome – he did a doctorate in canon law. He belonged to the Augustinian order and was headed for 12 years.

– I personally met him in 2014 in Chicago. He is a very nice, very modest and mundane man who not only listens, but also opens his heart – says Father Sarfraz Alam from the Order of Saint Augustine.

Robert Prevost speaks English, Spanish and Italian. He is a fan of baseball and tennis, and until recently he emphasized that he would like to return to the court. Few interviews gave the media and rarely speak publicly.

– He served as a missionary. He was an advisor, a teacher. He played many roles, so I think that his ministry will be the culmination of various experiences, of which now the world – certainly Americans – will be proud – says Father Robert Hagan, friend of Pope Leon XIV.

What are the views of Leon XIV?

Although Robert Prevost on the first pages of world newspapers was the first pope from the United States, the media point out that he was “the least American among American cardinals.” Many perceive him as another one – after Francis – the Pope from Latin America.

“It's a gift from heaven that the new pope is a Peruvian,” says Caroline Flores, a resident of Lima. Because Robert Prevost also has citizenship Peruwhere he spent a significant part of his priestly ministry.

– He was born in the United States, but for many years he was a bishop in Latin America, so he really understands the needs of the faithful around the world – says Archbishop José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Metropolitan Los Angeles.

In 2023 he moved to Rome. He was appointed a cardinal, and the clergy in Italy knew him primarily as a prefect of dicasteries for bishops, who recommends the Pope of new bishops. Leon XIV shares many Francis' views about the Church as an institution involved in helping the poor and migrants.

In the past – although he voted several times in republican primaries – he critically referred to migration policy in social media Donald Trump And some statements by vice president JD Vance.