The brother of Pope Leo XIV, John Prevost, has revealed a surprising conversation he had with his now-famous sibling regarding the choice of the papal name. According to the Daily Herald, John warned the newly elected pontiff against using the name ‘Leo,’ suggesting it could be seen as unlucky. ‘I told him it shouldn’t be Leo because it will be the 13th,’ Prevost said, mistakenly thinking his brother would be the 13th Leo, rather than the 14th. ‘He must’ve done some research to see it’s actually the 14th,’ Prevost remarked, reflecting on the humorous misunderstanding.
Born Robert Prevost in Chicago, Illinois, Pope Leo XIV is the first American-born pope in the history of the Catholic Church. Despite his American roots, he is also a Peruvian citizen, having spent decades serving as a missionary and church leader in Peru. ‘A neighbor once said he was going to be pope someday. How’s that for a prognostication?’ John Prevost shared, recalling his brother’s childhood aspiration.
John Prevost, a retired Catholic school principal, recounted the moment he learned his brother had been elected pope while speaking with his niece in Florida. ‘We both couldn’t believe it. Then the phone, the iPad, and my cellphone just went nuts,’ he told the Daily Herald.
The new pontiff’s brother also disclosed personal details about Pope Leo XIV, noting his devotion to the Chicago White Sox despite their mother’s loyalty to the Cubs. ‘No matter how many problems he has, he maintains good humor and joy,’ said Rev. Fidel Purisaca Vigil, communications director for the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, where Pope Leo XIV once served.
Despite his popularity and approachable nature, Pope Leo XIV is not without controversy. According to La Republica, in 2000, he allowed Father James Ray, a priest suspended over allegations of sexual abuse, to reside at his friary in Chicago. In a 2019 interview, the new pope spoke out against the culture of secrecy surrounding abuse cases, saying, ‘We reject the cover-up and secrecy, that does a lot of damage, because we have to help the people who have suffered from the bad act.’
James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor-at-large of America Magazine, described the new pope as ‘kind, open, humble, modest, decisive, hard-working, straightforward, trustworthy, and down-to-earth.’
Now, as Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost faces the monumental task of leading the global Catholic Church, bringing with him a unique blend of American and Peruvian perspectives, and a reputation for advocating transparency, compassion, and reform.
