Pope Leo XIV (born Robert Francis Prevost; September 14, 1955) is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. He was elected pope in the 2025 conclave on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis. Born in Chicago, United States, Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine as a young man, and was ordained priest in 1982. His service has included extensive missionary work