The elder brother of the Pope has offered a rare glimpse into the family life and character of the first American Pontiff, describing a childhood shaped by daily prayer, strong discipline and a persistent sense of vocation that, he says, was visible from an early age.

In a recent television interview, John Prevost spoke candidly about the upbringing and personal qualities of his younger sibling, now known to the world as Pope Leo XIV. His remarks come amid sustained global interest in the background of the Chicago-born Pontiff, whose election marked a historic milestone as the first pope from the United States.

Reflecting on their family life, Mr Prevost said faith was woven into daily routines in the household. “Periodically our dad would take the Bible out and read Bible stories. We always prayed before dinner,” he recalled. “Our parents always, every evening after dinner, prayed the Rosary.” He added that the example set by their parents left a lasting impression on all the children, shaping both their moral outlook and their religious practice.

The Pope himself has echoed similar sentiments in recent public remarks, attributing much of his spiritual formation to the example of his parents. Speaking to newly married couples earlier this year, he said: “My parents prayed the Rosary together their whole lives every day … I found that I was always blessed, I’m sure because of it, their love for one another.”

Mr Prevost also described what he characterised as a defining personal trait of his younger brother: patience. “He has the patience of a saint,” he said. “If you ask me a question, I come out and give you an answer. He would take a lot of time to think about it before he responded, and therefore it’s a whole lot deeper in perspective than mine off the top of my head.” Observers of the new pontificate have noted a similar deliberative style in the Pope’s public addresses and pastoral decisions during his early months in office.

The interview also touched on the wider reaction among Catholics in the United States following the election. Mr Prevost said he had encountered individuals who attributed renewed religious practice to the visibility of an American pope. “I’ve had people come to the door and tell me, ‘I wanted to let you know because of your brother, I’m coming back,’” he said. “I think you’re seeing that across the country. Because of him, people are coming back to church.” While comprehensive national data on religious participation since the election remain limited, several dioceses have reported increased attendance at major liturgical celebrations and heightened public interest in Catholic life.

For Mr Prevost personally, the transition has brought unexpected attention after decades spent working in Catholic education. He served for approximately 35 years as both a teacher and school principal, primarily in parish-based institutions. He said the sudden public profile associated with his brother’s election has been both an honour and a challenge. “It’s always interesting, but it’s sometimes sad,” he explained. “You feel powerless of what people are looking for, and they expect me to be able to help, and I can’t necessarily do anything for them except listen.”

He also raised concerns about the future accessibility of Catholic schooling, pointing to rising costs faced by families across many countries. “I worry sometimes that Catholic schools unfortunately are becoming too expensive for the average person to afford,” he said. “If it’s only going to become something for wealthy people, I hope not.” His comments reflect a broader debate within the Catholic Church about sustaining parish schools amid declining enrolment in some regions and increasing operational expenses.

Despite the global attention now focused on his family, Mr Prevost said he remained in regular contact with the Pope and continued to view him primarily as a brother rather than a public figure.

The pair maintain their relationship as it was before Leo’s election. “It’s a trade-off,” explained Mr Prevost, describing the mobile games in which they compete against one another. “He beats me in Wordle. I usually beat him in Words with Friends.”

The interview offers one of the most personal portraits yet of the Pontiff’s formative years, highlighting the family influences and spiritual habits that shaped the man who now leads more than a billion Catholics worldwide.