When it comes to betting on papal elections, it’s often advised not to place wagers on a pope hailing from the United States. However, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old polyglot born in Chicago, might just defy those odds. Known for his ability to transcend borders, Cardinal Prevost has spent two decades in Peru, where he served as a bishop and gained citizenship, before advancing to lead his international religious order. Today, he holds one of the Vatican’s most prestigious positions.
As factions within the church debate whether to continue Pope Francis’ inclusive vision or revert to more conservative doctrines, Cardinal Prevost emerges as a balanced option among the papabili—potential papal candidates. The Rev. Michele Falcone, a 46-year-old priest from the Order of St. Augustine, which was previously led by Cardinal Prevost, describes him as embodying the ‘dignified middle of the road.’
Much like Pope Francis, Cardinal Prevost is committed to aiding the poor, advocating for migrants, and engaging with people from all walks of life. He emphasized in an interview with the Vatican’s official news outlet that a bishop should not act as a ‘little prince sitting in his kingdom.’ Instead, a church leader is called to be humble, to connect with those they serve, and to walk alongside them in their struggles.
Appointed by Pope Francis in 2023 to oversee the Vatican department responsible for selecting and managing bishops worldwide, Cardinal Prevost has largely built his career outside of the United States. Ordained in 1982 at the age of 27, he earned a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. In Peru, he excelled as a missionary, parish priest, educator, and bishop. As the head of the Augustinians, he visited global orders and is fluent in both Spanish and Italian.
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