Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Elected Pope Leo XIV: A Pontificate Rooted in Social Justice and Augustinian Spirituality

On May 8, 2025, the Catholic Church ushered in a new era with the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American prelate with deep ties to Latin America, as Pope Leo XIV. This election signals a continuation of the social justice legacy championed by Pope Francis, but with a distinctive emphasis on Augustinian spirituality, extensive missionary experience, and a commitment to synodality.

Born in Chicago in 1955, Prevost hails from a family with French, Italian, and Spanish roots. His early life was deeply intertwined with the Order of Saint Augustine, an order that would profoundly shape his spiritual and intellectual development. He pursued his higher education at Villanova University, where he studied mathematics and philosophy, laying a foundation for his later theological pursuits. He furthered his academic journey at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, earning degrees in canon law. His doctoral thesis delved into the crucial role of the local prior within the Augustinian order, demonstrating his commitment to understanding and strengthening the Church’s internal structures.

Prevost’s spirituality is deeply rooted in the Augustinian tradition, characterized by a communal life, an unwavering pursuit of truth, and a dedication to serving the most vulnerable members of society. He served as the Prior General of the Augustinian order for a decade, beginning in 2001, a period during which he solidified his identity as a “son of Saint Augustine,” embracing the order’s core values and applying them to contemporary challenges.

Prevost’s connection to Latin America is profound and enduring. In the late 1980s, he embarked on a transformative journey to Trujillo, Peru, where he spent over a decade immersed in pastoral work and theological formation. He served as a formator for seminarians, a theology professor, and a parish priest in marginalized communities. His dedication to the Peruvian people led to his appointment as Bishop of Chiclayo, a position he held until 2023.

During his ministry in Peru, Prevost became a naturalized citizen, further solidifying his commitment to the nation and its people. He emerged as a vocal advocate for human rights, fearlessly denouncing abuses committed during the regime of Alberto Fujimori. He actively promoted forgiveness and reconciliation, working tirelessly with Indigenous and impoverished communities to address their needs and amplify their voices.

His unwavering pastoral service in Peru did not go unnoticed. Pope Francis recognized Prevost’s dedication and appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023, later elevating him to the rank of cardinal. In this influential role, Prevost played a critical role in the selection of bishops worldwide, ensuring that candidates were aligned with the Church’s mission and values. He also actively participated in the Synods on Synodality held in 2023 and 2024, contributing his insights and experience to the ongoing discussions about the Church’s future.

During these synodal gatherings, Prevost championed a vision of the Church where all voices are heard, including those of laypeople, women, and young people. He proposed that nuncios, papal representatives, should consult directly with local communities before suggesting candidates for the episcopate, ensuring that the selection process is more inclusive and representative of the Church’s diverse membership.

Monsignor Farfán, in an interview with Vatican News, emphasized that "Pope Leo XIV will carry forward a mission based on communion, dialogue, and synodality, just as Pope Francis taught." This statement highlights the continuity between the two pontificates, suggesting that Pope Leo XIV will build upon the foundation laid by his predecessor.

The new pontiff chose the name Leo XIV in honor of Pope Leo XIII, the author of the groundbreaking encyclical Rerum Novarum, a foundational text of the Church’s social doctrine. This choice signals Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to addressing issues of social justice and promoting the dignity of workers. In his inaugural message as pope, Leo XIV issued a call for "disarmed and disarming" peace, indicating that his papacy will prioritize diplomatic efforts and social engagement.

Analysts such as Massimo Faggioli suggest that Pope Leo XIV’s papacy could be a continuation of Pope Francis’s approach, but with a greater emphasis on synodality, a stronger commitment to Latin America, and a renewed focus on workers and the poor.

The Vatican defines synodality as the particular style that characterizes the life and mission of the Church, expressing its nature as the People of God who walk and gather in assembly, convoked by the Lord Jesus with the power of the Holy Spirit to announce the Gospel. Synodality should be expressed in the ordinary way of living and working of the Church. From this perspective, synodality is much more than the celebration of ecclesial meetings and episcopal assemblies, or a question of simple internal administration within the Church; it is the specific modus vivendi et operandi of the Church, People of God, which reveals and gives content to its being as communion when all its members walk together, meet in assembly and participate actively in its evangelizing mission.

John Prevost, brother of Pope Leo XIV, stated in an interview with ABC that his brother will become a bridge between generations and cultures: American by birth, Peruvian by choice, Augustinian by heart, and a citizen of the world by vocation. His academic background, missionary experience, and leadership in Rome position him as a pope who could unite diverse sensibilities within a global and complex Church.

Pope Leo XIV’s decisions will undoubtedly shape the future of a Church in transformation. However, his legacy is already beginning to emerge: a Church that is more open, more approachable, and more synodal. His commitment to social justice, his deep spirituality, and his extensive experience in Latin America provide a solid foundation for his papacy and offer hope for a Church that is more responsive to the needs of the world.