Following the election of Pope Leo XIV, his brother, John Prevost, revealed surprising details about the advice he gave his sibling before the papal conclave.
The unlikely advice: Avoid the name “Leo” due to superstition
John Prevost, the brother of Pope Leo XIV, revealed that he warned his sibling against choosing the name “Leo.”
He suggested it might be an “unlucky” choice because of the historical association with Pope Leo XIII, who was the 13th pope to bear the name.
Prevost, a retired Catholic school principal, recalled the conversation: “We started rattling off names just for fun,” he said.
However, when his brother chose “Leo,” Prevost cautioned against it.
‘I told him it shouldn’t be Leo because it will be the 13th,’ Prevost said
Pope Leo XIV’s Selection: A surprise for the family
Despite his initial concerns, John Prevost did not expect his brother to be elected pope.
Like many others, he was surprised when Cardinal Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV.
The announcement came after a brief conclave, and when the name was called, Prevost was speaking to his niece in Florida.
‘We both couldn’t believe it. Then the phone, the iPad, and my cellphone just went nuts.’ He added.
He told ABC7 that the new pope prefers the Chicago White Sox over the Cubs, even though their mother has always been a Cubs fan.
He and his two brothers all knew ‘what we wanted to do very early in life,’. He said that the man he once called ‘Rob’ wanted to be a priest ‘from the time he could walk.’
‘A neighbor once said he was going to be pope someday. How’s that for a prognostication?’
A Life Devoted to the Church: From Chicago to Peru
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1956, devoted his life to the priesthood from a young age.
His journey took him to Peru, where he spent much of his life as a missionary. He later became an influential figure in the Catholic Church.
Prevost graduated from Villanova University with a degree in mathematics before moving to Peru in 1985.
There, he served in multiple church roles. These included leading the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and the Augustinian Province of Chicago.
His work in Peru gave him deep experience in pastoral leadership.
His fluency in Spanish and Italian also made him a strong candidate during the papal conclave.
Pope Leo XIV’s stance on Church issues
Pope Leo XIV has a centrist approach to many of the Church’s most pressing issues.
He was previously quiet about topics like women in the clergy and same-sex unions.
However, he has spoken publicly about gender ideology and social justice. In 2012, while serving as a bishop in Chiclayo, Peru, he criticized the promotion of gender ideolog stating, “It seeks to create genders that don’t exist.”
His views reflect his more traditional stance compared to some other clerical figures.
Pope Leo XIV’s Rise to Prominence within the Vatican
Before his election, Cardinal Prevost served under Pope Francis in key Vatican positions, including overseeing the Dicastery for Bishops.
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him to a prominent post. This post made him as a strong contender in the conclave.
Despite being an American and the first U.S. citizen to be pope, Prevost had a relatively quiet presence leading up to the election.
His dual citizenship, with Peru, and his lengthy service in the South Americanchurch. This made him a unique candidate.
In addition to his ecclesiastical responsibilities, Pope Leo XIV has been vocal about social issues.
He openly criticized the policies of President Donald Trump, particularly regarding immigration..
He has also shared articles that criticize JD Vance’s stance on the issue.
Through this, he positions himself as a progressive voice within the Church.
Pope Leo XIV’s election marks a historic shift for the Church. As the first American-born pontiff.
Despite initial skepticism over his American citizenship, Prevost remained a serious contender.
His long service to the Church, especially in South America, helped position him as an ideal choice for Pope Leo XIV.