ROBERT FRANCIS PREVOST was introduced to the Augustinian Order at a very young age. He was ordained priest in Rome in 1982. After earning a doctorate in canon law from the Angelicum University in Rome, he was sent in 1985 to the vicariate of Chulucanas―administered by his province―in northern Peru, where he served for 14 years.
In Peru, he was involved in all forms of apostolic ministry, including the training of candidates for priesthood, parish pastoral work, serving as judicial vicar in the archdiocese of Trujillo, and as head of studies at the theological institute in that city.
At the Augustinian general chapter of 2001 in Rome, he was elected prior general (head of the congregation), a position he served until 2013. A year later, Pope Francis appointed him bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. In January 2023, he was appointed as prefect of the dicastery for bishops. In this role, he was responsible for recommending episcopal candidates to the pope and for handling other matters concerning bishops and episcopal conferences. He was created cardinal in 2023.
He has worked in a variety of roles―formator, professor, parish priest, bishop―and most recently held a significant responsibility in the Church administration. All of this attests to his ability to understand and evaluate the complex realities of today’s world, and to grasp the many dimensions of the Church’s apostolic and missionary activity around the globe.
From my years of living alongside him, I can personally attest that he is calm, reserved, discreet, balanced and hardworking. His public appearances reveal a friendly demeanour and a genuine ability to connect with people. He avoids radical positions and simplistic answers. He is a thoughtful conversationalist, a good listener and consistently seeks dialogue and reconciliation.
As a leader, he is marked by clarity of thought, a collaborative spirit, and openness to differing viewpoints. It is often said, “If Francis said immediately what he thought, Robert takes a moment to think it through.” Those of us who have worked with him can vouch for his goodness, prudence, and sound judgement.
His first appearance on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica was memorable, marked by his characteristic smile and an address that was notably longer than usual for the occasion. He touched upon themes that are likely to define his pontificate. Chief among them was “building bridges”, and he repeatedly invoked the word “unity”, urging us to move forward together.
Leo XIV also identified himself as a son of Saint Augustine, with all that this implies. Our great hope is that he will be able to meet the expectations raised by his election and the global attention it has attracted.
Father Miguel served as general secretary to Father Robert Francis Prevost from 2001 to 2013, when the future pope was prior general of the Order of St Augustine.