Overview

• Pope Léon XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is the first American to lead the Catholic Church, elected on May 8, 2025.
• Genealogical research reveals his Creole roots in early 20th-century New Orleans, with ancestors of African, Caribbean, and European descent.
• His paternal grandmother, Suzanne Fontaine, was born in Normandy in 1894, underscoring his deep French heritage.
• Prevost was granted Peruvian nationality in 2015 after two decades of pastoral service in the country, highlighting his transnational experience.
• Known for his critiques of U.S. policies, including immigration and racial injustice, Léon XIV’s papacy is seen as a bridge between cultures and ideologies.