Pope Leo XIV's Roots: A Brother's Reflection on His Historic Papacy

As Jesuit Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost transitions to Pope Leo XIV, his brother John shares insights on their family's experience and Leo's commitment to social justice, reflecting on the significant milestone of having an American pope.

In a heartfelt conversation from his home in New Lenox, Illinois, John Prevost, the brother of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has become Pope Leo XIV, expressed his astonishment at the historic election of his sibling. “Last Saturday when I was at church, a priest shared that the odds for my brother were 18 to 1,” John noted, recalling his optimism. Despite his initial surprise, Cardinal Prevost humbly dismissed John's call when informed of the expectation, asserting, “No way, not going to happen.”

Now, as the first American pope, Leo XIV's elevation has undeniably transformed the dynamic for his family and friends back home in Illinois. Reflecting on this significant change, John, a retired educator, conveyed his brother's enduring commitment to uplift the marginalized. He remarked, “Leo, or as I still call him Rob, possesses a great desire to assist the downtrodden and the disenfranchised—those often overlooked.” He anticipates that Pope Leo XIV will honor the legacy of social outreach initiated by Pope Francis, steering the church toward a future where inclusivity and compassion reign.