Biography of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost

Early Life and Education: Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, into a family of Italian, French and Spanish heritagepress. He attended a minor seminary run by the Augustinians and then enrolled at Villanova University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in 1977. In September 1977 (at age 21) he entered the novitiate of the Order of St. Augustine (O.S.A.) He made his solemn Augustinian profession on August 29, 1981 During this period he studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, receiving a Master of Divinity in 1982 Prevost was ordained a priest in Rome on August 15, 1982 He then pursued graduate studies in Rome, earning a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) in 1985 (the Vatican press bulletin simply notes he received a theology doctorate) in 1987 but other sources specify a canon-law degree from the Angelicumcatholicnewsagency.com).

Key Facts: Born 1955, Chicago; BA in Mathematics (Villanova, 1977) Augustinian novice (1977), solemn vows (1981) M.Div. (Catholic Theological Union, 1982) Doctorate in Canon Law (Angelicum, 1985) ordained priest 1982

Augustinian Ministry: After ordination, Prevost was sent on mission to Peru (1985). There, he helped establish a formation program in Trujillo and served as prior of an Augustinian community, director of formation, and teacher of seminary students between 1988 and 1998 Returning to the U.S. in 1999, he was elected Provincial of the "Mother of Good Counsel" Province (Chicago). About two and a half years later (2001), he was elected Prior General of the entire Augustinian Order, a post to which he was re-elected in 2007 As Prior General (head of the Augustinians worldwide), he oversaw the order's planning and governance from Rome for over a decade (During this time he built a reputation as a moderate and effective administrator.)

Bishop of Chiclayo: On November 3, 2014, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, simultaneously naming him titular Bishop of Sufar. He took canonical possession on November 7 and was ordained Bishop of Chiclayo on December 12, 2014. Prevost served as Bishop of Chiclayo (in northern Peru) from late 2014 until 2023. In Peru he was known as a "moderating influence" amid local church divisions, serving on the Peruvian bishops' permanent council and as its vice-president from 2018–2023. In April 2020 Pope Francis also named him Apostolic Administrator of the neighboring Diocese of Callao. Overall he spent about eight and a half years as a missionary-bishop in Peru