Honoring our Augustinian brother, Pope Leo XIV
HABEMUS PAPAM
Official Statement from the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel on the Election of Pope Leo XIV
CHICAGO, IL. (May 8, 2005)
The Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel rejoices in the historic election of our brother, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. His election marks a moment of profound significance—not only as the first pope from the United States, but also as the first Augustinian to be elected pontiff.
“Pope Leo XIV is a man of deep integrity, a true listener, and a companion to those on the margins of society,” said Prior Provincial Very Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A. “We see him as a bridge-builder, rooted in the spirit of St. Augustine, walking forward with the whole Church as a companion on the journey. We are honored that he is one of our own, a brother formed in the restless heart of the Augustinian Order.”
Born in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV entered our novitiate in 1977 and made his solemn profession in 1981. Following priestly ordination in 1982, he went on to earn advanced degrees in canon law in Rome and spent the next decades serving the Church with humility and distinction—as a missionary in Peru, as an educator and formator, as Prior Provincial of our own Province, and later as Prior General of the entire Augustinian Order for two terms.
After returning to the Province in 2013, he was called once more to missionary service, this time as Apostolic Administrator and then Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. His episcopal ministry was marked by a pastoral heart, dedication to formation, and care for the poor. His leadership in the Church continued to expand: as a member of the Congregation for the Clergy, the Congregation for Bishops, Apostolic Administrator of Callao, and ultimately, as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. In 2023, he was created Cardinal by Pope Francis and, in 2025, elevated to the Order of Bishops within the College of Cardinals.
Now, in divine providence and guided by the Holy Spirit, our brother has been entrusted with the Chair of Peter.
Pope Leo XIV brings to the papacy the heart of an Augustinian: a love for community, a thirst for truth, and a shepherd’s care for the people of God. His life of mission, teaching, and servant leadership reflect the best of our tradition.
We offer him our prayers, our love, and our unwavering support. May his pontificate be a source of unity, peace, and renewal for the Church and the world.
In Augustine,
The Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Mission Statement:
We, the Augustinians of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, are members of the worldwide Order of Saint Augustine in the Roman Catholic Church. Centered in the Eucharist and prayer, we search for God in community by sharing our lives, goods and spiritual journey with each other and the people of God. In harmony of mind and heart on our journey toward God, our experience of common life flows into and shapes our ministries. We continue to serve the Church in schools, parishes and missions as we seek to discern new paths of service to which God calls us.
Photos For Media Use
Photos below are provided for use by the media with photo credit as follows: Photos courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
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Prior Provincial Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A. (left) and Pope Leo XIV (then-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A.) at an event in 2024. Photo Sharing Credit for Re-Use: Photo Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Pope Leo XIV (then-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A.) celebrates Mass at St. Jude Parish in New Lenox, IL, in 2024. Photo Sharing Credit for Re-Use: Photo Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Pope Leo XIV (then-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A.) celebrates Mass at St. Jude Parish in New Lenox, IL, in 2024. Photo Sharing Credit for Re-Use: Photo Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Pope Leo XIV (then-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A.) celebrates Mass at St. Jude Parish in New Lenox, IL, in 2024. Photo Sharing Credit for Re-Use: Photo Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Pope Leo XIV (then-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A.) at an event at St. Jude Parish in New Lenox, IL, in 2024. Photo Sharing Credit for Re-Use: Photo Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Left to Right: Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., Province Vocation Director, Fr. Bernie Scianna, O.S.A., Counselor, Pope Leo XIV (then-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A.), Very Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo, O.S.A., Prior Provincial, Fr. Jack Tierney, O.S.A., Assistant Vocation Director. Photo Sharing Credit for Re-Use: Photo Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Undated picture of Robert Prevost with Pope Benedict XVI. Photo Sharing Credit for Re-Use: Photo Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Undated picture of Robert Prevost with Pope John Paul II. Photo Sharing Credit for Re-Use: Photo Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Undated picture of Robert Prevost with Pope John Paul II. Photo Sharing Credit for Re-Use: Photo Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Undated picture of Robert Prevost with Pope John Paul II. Photo Sharing Credit for Re-Use: Photo Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Undated picture of Robert Prevost. Photo Sharing Credit for Re-Use: Photo Courtesy of the Midwest Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel
Augustinian Biography of Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A.
Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to Louis M. and Mildred A. Prevost.
He studied for four years at St. Augustine High School Seminary in Holland, Michigan, where he earned his diploma in 1973. He continued in the Pre-Novitiate formation program at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, earning a B.S. in Mathematics in 1977.
Robert was received into the Augustinian Novitiate on September 1, 1977. He professed temporary vows in the Order of St. Augustine on September 2, 1978. He completed theological studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and earned a Master’s of Divinity Degree in 1981. He professed solemn vows on August 29, 1981, and was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982. From 1981 to 1985, he studied Canon Law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. He earned a Licentiate in 1984 and a Doctorate in 1987.
Father Prevost was named Chancellor of the Diocese of Chulucanas, Peru, in 1985. He returned to the United States in 1986 and served as Vocations Director for the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel until 1988. He also was temporary Director of the Province Mission Office during this time.
In 1988, Father Prevost returned to Trujillo, Peru, to initiate the first common formation house between the Vicariates of Chulucanas, Iquitos, and Apurimac. In this community, in service to the pre-novices and the professed, he occupied the posts of Prior (1988-1992), Formation Director (1988-1999), Master of Professed (1993-1998), and parish priest of the Parish of Saint Mary of Monserrat. In the Archdiocese of Trujillo, he served as the Prefect of Studies at the Archdiocesan Seminary of San Carlos and San Marcelo, and he also taught Canon Law there. During this time, he also served as Judge of the Regional Ecclesiastical Tribunal and as a member of the College of Consultors in Trujillo.
He was elected Prior Provincial of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel in 1998 and returned to the United States to begin this role in 1999.
At the Ordinary General Chapter of 2001, Father Prevost was elected Prior General of the worldwide Augustinian Order. He was elected to a second term at the Ordinary General Chapter of 2007 and served until his term ended in September 2013.
Following his time as Prior General, Father Prevost returned to the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel and served in several roles: Director of Formation at St. Augustine Friary, Vicar Provincial, First Counselor, Board Member of Villanova University, and Board Member of Catholic Theological Union.
On November 4, 2014, it was announced that Pope Francis had appointed Father Prevost as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, and Titular Bishop of Sufar. He was installed as Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo on November 7, 2014, and was ordained Titular Bishop of Sufar on December 12, 2014. He was installed as Bishop of Chiclayo on September 26, 2015.
Within the Episcopal Conference of Peru, he served on the permanent council from 2018-2020. He was elected in 2019 as President for the Commission on Education and Culture. He was also a member of the leadership of Caritas Peru.
On July 13, 2019, Bishop Prevost was appointed to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy. From April 15, 2020, until May 26, 2021, he served as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Callao, Peru. On November 21, 2020, he was appointed to the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops.
On January 30, 2023, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Prevost as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (formerly Congregation of Bishops) with the title Archbishop-Bishop Emeritus of Chiclayo. He was also appointed the President of the Pontifical Commission of Latin America. He began both of these roles on April 12, 2023.
It was announced on July 9, 2023, that Pope Francis would elevate Archbishop Prevost to be a Cardinal at the Vatican consistory on Sept. 30, 2023. At the ceremony, he gave a speech on behalf of the other cardinals-elect. He continues to serve as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and as President of the Pontifical Commission of Latin America. He is also a member of several other Dicasteries.
On February 6, 2025, he was elevated from Cardinal-Deacon to Cardinal-Bishop within the College of Cardinals. He was assigned the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Albano.
On May 8, 2025, he was elected Pope and chose the name Pope Leo XIV.