Born as Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, the man who on Thursday in Vatican City became known as Pope Leo XIV, was a world traveler long before he was elected to lead the Catholic Church. He went to high school at a seminary in Michigan, studied mathematics at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, returned to Chicago to further his studies and later to teach high school, spent many years as a missionary in Peru, and was even an educator right here in Wisconsin.
But just how Midwestern is he? Here’s what we know so far.
He’s not a Cubs fan.
Pope Leo XIV roots for the White Sox (and even attended at least one game of their 2005 World Series championship), despite being raised by a Cardinals fan father and a Cubs fan mother, one of the pope’s two elder brothers told NBC Chicago.
But what about … that other Chicago team?
It’s unclear at this time who the new pope roots for on Sundays. Bishop of Madison Donald Hying told members of the press Thursday that, even if the newest Successor of Saint Peter is a Bears fan, “Forgiveness is part of our Christian nature. So, we can forgive sports allegiances that we do not share. Right?”
Unsurprisingly, his parents were very active in the church.
Like many Midwestern kids, Pope Leo XIV spent a lot of time in the pews. He was an altar boy and his parents were heavily involved in their neighborhood church, St. Mary of the Assumption, which is now shuttered but remains standing. That’s according to childhood neighbor Linda Jorsch, who told CBS News that she remembers playing Red Rover in the street with him as a kid.
Catholicism, like most ancient religions in the U.S. today, has been facing significantly fewer faithful in church pews. But in the Midwest, and particularly in the Milwaukee area, the Church may be stronger than it is elsewhere. In 2024, nine new priests were ordained in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, the largest group since 1992.
Folks called him ‘Father Bob.’
Before becoming Leo XIV on Thursday, Prevost was often referred to as “Father Bob” by those who know him well. The Midwest can’t claim the name “Bob,” of course – it’s a sobriquet dating back to the Middle Ages in Britain – but it does feel like a homey name, no?
He’s spent quite a bit of time in the Badger State.
With the Augustinians, the ancient religious order he belongs to, Leo XIV spent time teaching at Oconomowoc’s Augustinian Novitiate within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
We don’t know if he’s been to the Lake Forest Oasis.
As soon as it became clear who the new pope was, locals started speculating as to how quintessentially local he may be…
The Lake Forest Oasis, an iconic stop for Wisconsin families on road trips down I-94, was first built in 1958. That same year, the new pope turned 3 years old.
It’s unclear what his preferred frozen treat is.
Sorry for being unclear here, but even holy men aren’t sure what His Holiness’s frozen preferences may be. “We don’t know – he might like custard,” Archdiocese of Milwaukee Auxiliary Bishop Jeffrey R. Haines quipped during a press conference Thursday.
He’s a Midwesterner, yes, but not known as a quintessential American.
Leo XIV has been noted for his lack of brashness and soft-spoken manner. Speculating on who the Cardinals may elect as the new pope before the Conclave, the Italian newspaper La Repubblica called the man then known as Rev. Robert Francis Prevost “Il meno americano tra gli americani.” Translation: “the least American of the Americans.”
