Meet Pope Leo XIV, a mathematics graduate with proficiency in 7 languages

The white smoke has relayed the message – there’s a new Pope in the Vatican, filling the post after Francis passed away last month. After the voting process (Re: watch Conclave) of 133 cardinals, Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the first US-born pontiff and will be known as Pope Leo XIV.Leo made his first remarks as pope from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in front of tens of thousands of onlookers, calling for peace and paying tribute to the late Pope Francis. In his speech, which he delivered in front of a roaring crowd, he called for the Church to “build bridges” and also paid tribute to the late Pope Francis.Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected head of the Catholic Church, is not only the first Pope of American descent – the 69-year-old is also quite an academic genius!Hailing from Chicago, Pope Leo is a leader with global experience. He spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and holds dual citizenship in the US and Peru, where he served as a bishop. He most recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments. He is expected to build on Pope Francis’ reforms.While the whole world looks forward to his tenure and his activities during the same as the head of the Catholic church, let’s take a look at the academic side of the new Pope.Pope Leo XIV, whose birth name is Robert Francis Prevost, has been appointed as the head of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of Vatican City. His election marks a historic milestone, as he is not only the first pope from North America but also the inaugural pope of American and Peruvian descent.Robert Francis Prevost was born in the vibrant city of Chicago in 1955. He embarked on his educational journey at a young age, attending the minor seminary of the Order of St. Augustine, where he completed his secondary studies in 1973. During his formative years, Prevost was deeply rooted in his family and community, initially studying at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers before continuing his education at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.It was here, in 1977, that he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics while also engaging in philosophical studies that would later inform his theological perspective.Apart from holding a degree in Mathematics and Philosophy from Villanova University and a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Pope Leo is also fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, and also reads Latin and German.In a significant turn in his life, Prevost was accepted into the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) in Saint Louis, part of the Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Chicago. He made his first religious profession on September 2, 1978, committing himself to a life of service and faith, and on August 29, 1981, he took his solemn vows, solidifying his dedication to the order.Prevost pursued extensive theological training at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he was immersed in the rich traditions and teachings of the Catholic faith. At the age of 27, he received a calling from his superiors to further his studies in Rome, specializing in Canon Law at the prestigious Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). He was ordained as a priest in 1982, marking the beginning of his clerical ministry. Following his ordination, he obtained a licentiate in Canon Law in 1984. As he was preparing to defend his doctoral thesis, Prevost was sent on a mission to Chulucanas in Piura, Peru, from 1985 to 1986, where he contributed to the local community while deepening his understanding of the church's global mission. In 1987, Prevost successfully defended his doctoral thesis, which focused on "The Role of the Local Prior in the Order of Saint Augustine." Following this academic achievement, he was appointed as the vocational director and missions director for the Augustinian Province of “Mother of Good Counsel” located in Olympia Fields, Illinois, USA. In these roles, he dedicated himself to fostering new vocations and guiding missionary efforts, reflecting his commitment to the growth and outreach of the Augustinian community.