Cardinal Robert Francis, now Leo XIV, was chosen to be the Pope of the Catholic Church on May 8th, 2025. Before this huge change, Robert Francis had an awe-inspiring career, culminating into becoming the pope.
Robert Francis attended college in Chicago, then was moved to Augustinian College, where he became a priest in 1982. A few years later, he became the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and then the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
In 1988, after obtaining a spot on the Pontifical Council he prepared for a trip to Peru, where he served in several positions over 11 years, including a prior of the community, a formation director, an instructor for professed members, and later a professor of Canon Law and Moral Theology at the Major Seminary there.
“It is hard to have an informed opinion of Pope Leo XIV since he is unknown. So far, in the infancy of his papacy, I have been really impressed! I am excited at the prospect of having a new shepherd for our universal Church,” Fr. Patrick said.
After his time in Peru, in October 2013, he returned to an Augustinian Province in Chicago, serving as director of formation until Pope Francis appointed him as Apostolic Administrator of the Peruvian Diocese of Chiclayo a year later.
His next step in his career came in September 2015 when he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo by Pope Francis. Later on, in March 2018, he was elected second vice-president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference.
Most recently, Pope Francis created him a Cardinal in the Consistory of September 30, 2023, and assigned him the Diaconate of Saint Monica. He officially took possession of his titular church on January 28, 2024.
After becoming Pope he returned to the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he used his call for peace to be protected and to end a divisive “war of words”. Then he called for peace in Ukraine, a Gaza ceasefire, and for the release of hostages while quoting the previous pope, Pope Francis.
“My favorite thing about him is that he is American! It is shocking to hear the Holy Father speak English with a midwestern accent. But he feels way closer to me than I have felt with the past three popes. I am excited to continue to follow him and his teachings,” Fr. Patrick said.
The Catholic Church continues to pray for the new pope and his initiatives.
