Pope Leo XIV turns 70 amid early months of a historic pontificate

Pope Leo XIV today celebrates his 70th birthday, four months after his election as the 267th successor of St Peter.

Pope Leo is the first Pope to have his 70th birthday during his pontificate since John Paul II, who turned 70 on 18 May 1990 during the twelfth year of his papacy.

Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago on 14 September 1955, he was raised in a Catholic family with strong European and Hispanic roots. His father, Louis Marius Prevost, was of French and Italian origin, and his mother, Mildred Martínez, was of Spanish descent. He grew up with two brothers, Louis Martin and John Joseph, in a household where the practice of the faith was central.

He pursued his studies at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, an institution run by the Order of St Augustine. His years there brought him into close contact with the Augustinian tradition of scholarship and community life, and the influence of the order would later shape his vocation. After entering the Augustinians, he made his solemn profession and was ordained a priest in 1982. He then travelled to Rome, where he obtained a doctorate in canon law.

Fr Prevost combined academic work with pastoral service and missionary activity. He became a respected figure within his order, taking on responsibilities in teaching, governance and formation. His capacity for leadership eventually brought him to the episcopacy, where he served as Bishop of Chiclayo before being elevated to the College of Cardinals. In Rome, he was promoted as Prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops, where he became known as a reliable collaborator entrusted with significant responsibilities in governance.

On 8 May 2025, following the death of Pope Francis, the conclave of cardinals elected him pope. He chose the name Leo XIV, placing himself in continuity with the papal tradition while signalling his determination to lead the Church at a moment of cultural and social change. His election also marked the first time in modern history that an Augustinian religious had ascended to the papacy.

In the four months since his election, Pope Leo XIV has set out the priorities for his pontificate. He has appealed for dialogue and reconciliation amid conflicts around the world, calling for an end to violence and division. He has spoken frequently in defence of those at risk of exploitation and on foreign policy issues such as the situation in Palestine. He has also stressed the importance of solidarity in the face of new technological and social realities.

The Pope will mark his birthday with public celebrations in Rome. At noon Central European Time, he will lead the Angelus in St Peter’s Square. Later, at 5pm CET, he will preside at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls for the Commemoration of the Martyrs and Witnesses of the Faith of the 21st Century, honouring those who have given their lives for Christ in recent decades.

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