Pope Leo XIV Bio: Age, Parents, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Brothers, Family, Kids, Salary, Speech

Biography

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, is the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, elected on May 8, 2025.

He holds the distinction of being the first pope born in the United States and the first naturalized Peruvian citizen to ascend to the papacy. A member of the Order of Saint Augustine, he is also the first Augustinian to be elected pope.

He has French, Italian, and Spanish heritage. He pursued studies in mathematics at Villanova University and theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Ordained a priest in 1982, he dedicated nearly two decades to missionary work in Peru before serving as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023.

Elevated to the rank of cardinal in 2023, Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate is marked by a strong emphasis on peace, interfaith dialogue, and social justice, drawing inspiration from Pope Leo XIII‘s social teachings.

Bishop
Pope Leo XIV
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Robert Francis Prevost
Stage Name:	Pope Leo XIV
Born:	14 September 1955 (age 69 years old)
Place of Birth:	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Villanova University, Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas
Height:	1.75 m
Parents:	Louis Marius Prevost, Mildred “Millie” Martinez
Siblings:	Louis Martin Prevost, John Joseph Prevost
Spouse:	Not Married
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	N/A
Occupation:	Bishop • Pope
Net Worth:	$0 (USD)

Early Life & Education

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, was raised in the city’s southern suburbs in a devout Roman Catholic household.

Of French, Italian, and Spanish heritage, he grew up immersed in faith and education. His father, Louis Marius Prevost, an educator and catechist, served as superintendent of schools in District 169, led Glenwood School District 167, and was principal of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Chicago Heights. A Navy lieutenant who served in the Mediterranean during World War II, Louis passed away in November 1997 in Chicago.

Robert’s mother, Mildred “Millie” Martinez, of Spanish descent, was a dedicated librarian and a pillar of parish life. A graduate of DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in library science (1947) and a master’s in education (1949), Millie was deeply involved in her church community at St. Mary of the Assumption on 137th Street. She attended daily Mass, cleaned altars, sang in the choir, and contributed actively to parish activities. She passed away in June 1990 in Chicago. Robert grew up alongside his two brothers, Louis Martin Prevost and John Joseph Prevost.

From an early age, Robert’s life centered around faith and scholarship. He attended Catholic schools in Chicago’s south suburbs and was a committed St. Mary of the Assumption parish member. Fluent in Spanish and Italian, he earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova University in 1977. He pursued theological studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, completing a Master of Divinity in 1981, and later earned a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

This strong academic and spiritual foundation prepared him for a life dedicated to service. He spent nearly two decades as a missionary in Peru, eventually becoming an archbishop and a naturalized Peruvian citizen — experiences that profoundly shaped his pastoral approach and global outlook.

Career

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, has forged a distinguished ecclesiastical path shaped by his Augustinian formation and extensive global ministry.

Ordained a priest in the Order of Saint Augustine in 1982, he began his vocation as a missionary in Peru, dedicating nearly two decades to pastoral and administrative service. His fluency in Spanish and unwavering commitment to social justice endeared him to the local communities, leading to his naturalization as a Peruvian citizen during his time there.

In 2015, Prevost was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, a role he held until 2023. His episcopacy was defined by efforts to deepen community engagement, advance education, and combat poverty, drawing inspiration from the social teachings of Pope Leo XIII.

In 2023, he was elevated to the College of Cardinals, recognized for his pastoral sensitivity and theological acumen. Concurrently, he was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops at the Vatican, where he oversaw the selection and appointment of bishops worldwide, shaping the Church’s global leadership.

On May 8, 2025, he was elected the 267th pope, taking the name Leo XIV. He became the first U.S.-born pontiff and the first member of the Augustinian order to ascend to the papacy. His pontificate has been characterized by a strong emphasis on peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and social justice, echoing both his missionary experience and his academic grounding in mathematics, theology, and canon law.

His career reflects a unique blend of grassroots ministry, administrative leadership, and a vision for a more inclusive and compassionate Church.

Personal Life

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, is 69 years old. As a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Order of Saint Augustine, he took a vow of celibacy upon ordination in 1982, and thus has no wife, marriage, or children.

His life has been dedicated to religious service, and he has omitted any dating history or romantic relationships, in accordance with the Church’s requirements for clergy.

His height is 5′ 9″ (1.75 m). His life, shaped by his early years in Chicago, missionary work in Peru, and rise through the Church hierarchy, has been centered on faith, scholarship, and pastoral leadership, leaving no room for personal relationships outside his religious commitments.

Net Worth

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, has a net worth of $0. His vow of poverty as an Augustinian priest and pope prevents his accumulation of personal wealth.

The Vatican meets his material needs. As pope, he may receive a modest salary of approximately €2,500 per month (about £2,150), but this is typically donated to charity, used for Church needs, or redirected to his religious order, leaving no personal financial gain.