Pope Leo XIV, newly instated as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, now assumes the role of guiding 1.4 billion followers worldwide. His unique position is one that few will experience, and his journey to becoming the head of the Church has revealed some intriguing and relatable details about his life and interests. Born Robert Prevost, this Chicago native and Augustinian missionary made history on May 8 by becoming the first American to be elected pope in the Churchโs 2,000-year history. Before his election, he served as a minister in Peru and managed the Vaticanโs significant office of bishops. His papacy follows the passing of Pope Francis on April 21.
In the wake of his appointment, a quintessentially Chicago question arose: where did his baseball loyalties lie? Despite initial assumptions that Leo was a supporter of the Chicago Cubs, his brother, John Prevost, clarified in an interview that the pontiff is, in fact, an avid White Sox fan. โHe was never a Cubs fan,โ John explained, attributing the mix-up to their maternal familyโs North Side roots and their allegiance to the Cubs.
Apart from his church duties, Leo also has a passion for tennis. An interview conducted in 2023 with the Augustinian Order revealed Leoโs self-proclaimed amateur status in tennis. โI consider myself quite the amateur tennis player,โ he noted, expressing eagerness to return to the sport despite a packed schedule. Rev. Jorge Millรกn, who lived with Leo in Peru, recalled that the future pope regularly engaged in tennis matches with other faith leaders at the Chiclayo Jockey Club.
Though born in the United States, Pope Leo XIV spent considerable time working in Peru, even serving as the bishop of Chiclayo. His services to the country earned him Peruvian citizenship in 2015, resulting in dual citizenship for both the United States and Peruโanother historic first. Celebrations erupted upon his election, with bells ringing in both Limaโs cathedral and Chicagoโs Holy Name Cathedral.
Leoโs academic journey started with a focus on mathematics. Having pursued mathematics at Villanova University, he graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science. Leoโs ties to Villanova remain strong, as noted by the universityโs president, the Rev. Peter Donohue, who also highlighted Leoโs status as a Villanova basketball fan. In 2014, the university honored Leo with a Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, and welcomed him in Rome during the same year.
Despite global responsibilities, Leo maintains a close connection with his brother, John, in Illinois. The two frequently engage in conversations spanning a variety of topics, from theological discussions to current events. They also enjoy solving Wordle puzzles together, a shared daily ritual that adds a touch of familiarity and bonding to their regular conversations.