Dear Friends,

When the announcement of the new pope was made on May 8th, I was in a hospital bed in the emergency room battling an illness. All of a sudden, my phone went ballistic with messages informing me of who the new pope is - Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American-born Augustinian missionary! What? I unconsciously reacted. At a human level, I was thrilled that the new pope and I both share the name Robert and both of us are Americans of dual citizenship. But I was also shocked, like I believe many were, because though holding a prominent position in the Vatican, little was known about him. Besides, many more still never expected an American to become a pope at this time.

Moreover, when the cardinals entered the conclave, many speculations were already being made about who would most likely emerge as the pope. There were very prominent and popular papabile identified by the secular and ecclesiastical press alike. But many, like me, never expected it to be the little-known Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost who decided to choose the papal name Leo XIV. Since then, the press and many other writers have attempted to offer some glimpses of who the man is. Among the many, I ran across an article about our new pope, which impressed me very much, and I would like to share with you an edited version. It says:

The untold story of newly elected Pope Robert Prevost: In 1975, Robert Prevost was at the top of his game. He was a Chicago math teacher. Devout Catholic. Was accepted into Harvard Law School. He had everything a young man could dream of, but then—he made a decision that no one saw coming. He said no to Harvard. No to a six-figure future. No to fame. No to comfort. And yes—to something few dare to choose: A life of complete surrender. He joined a missionary group and moved to Peru. Not to the cities. Not to the tourist spots.

But to the “most” remote villages—where children die from treatable diseases. And families walk miles just for clean water. There were no roads. No running water. No WiFi. Just mountains. Silence and poverty. But he embraced it like home. Robert didn’t just live “among” the people. He became “one” of them.

• He learned Quechua—the sacred language of the Incas
• He carried food on foot for days
• He slept on dirt floors with the villagers
• He prayed under the stars

When he wasn’t building shelters, he taught math to barefoot kids under broken rooftops. When he wasn’t teaching, he carried the sick on donkeys to get help. When he wasn’t healing, he listened—truly listened—to stories no one else cared to hear. While his friends from back home became lawyers and doctors, he became something else entirely.

A shepherd.
A brother.
A quiet warrior of faith.

And slowly—his legend grew. His acts weren’t broadcast. But they echoed through the Andes. Bishops noticed. Priests noticed.

And eventually—the Vatican noticed. They called him back to lead his entire Augustinian order from serving a village to overseeing 2,800 brothers in over 40 countries.

Still—he kept his same sandals.
Still—he walked with the poor.
Still—he rejected luxury.

Then came the call that changed everything: Rome wanted him closer. In 2020, He was appointed Archbishop and assigned to govern other bishops globally. It was rare. But Robert had never chased after tradition (nor fame, they chased after him). He wasn’t just fluent in Latin or Canon Law. He was fluent in “compassion”. In humility. In listening.In “presence”.

The Vatican didn’t just see a priest. They saw a “leader with soul” on September 30, 2023. Pope Francis made it official: Robert Prevost was named a Cardinal. Just one step below the Pope And then… on May 8, 2025

History was made. For the first time, our Pope was:

• An American.
• A former math teacher.
• A missionary to the forgotten who was elevated as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church

Cardinal Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV proves:

• Titles mean nothing without service
• Knowledge is useless without love
• Faith—without sacrifice—is noise, and sometimes
• If you turn down the world, you will change it instead

Dear friends, whether this reflects who he is accurately or not, time will tell. But for now, please join me in praying for our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. He carries the weight of the Petrine office. He is our beloved shepherd whom the Holy Spirit has gifted us with at this time of the Church’s history. The Holy Spirit never errs in his choice.

Let us pray:

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd Pope Leo XIV a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world. Amen!

I love you!

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