Meet Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV was born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago. He is the first pope from the United States. He was elected pope on May 8, 2025.

Prayer

Download a Prayer for the Newly Elected Pope.

Activities

Find Your Pope Name

The papal name chosen is thought to be an indicator of what kind of papal reign the new pontiff hopes to emulate. Pope Benedict XVI was thought to have chosen Benedict after Benedict XV, who had a relatively short reign at only seven and a half years, and St. Benedict of Nursia, who founded and inspired the Benedictine monastic tradition in the Western Church. Pope Francis chose his name after St. Francis of Assisi, who is known for his care for the poor.

Think about who you emulate and are inspired by. It can be someone you know personally, such as a family member or friend, or a person who is known for how he or she lived his or her life, such as Saint Teresa of Calcutta or Saint Ignatius of Loyola. On a separate sheet of paper, write your chosen name and explain what it means to you

Pray for the Pope, Pray for the World

When the pope has an official papal decree or blessing, it is common for him to say “Urbi et Orbi” which means “to the city and for the world.” The pope is also the Bishop of Rome, but when he says Urbi et Orbi, he is speaking not just to the city of Rome but to the Catholics around the world. Write a brief prayer of thanks for the pope, asking God to watch over him as he leads the Catholics around the world. These prayers can remain private or be shared with the group, if you choose.