As cardinals gather following the death of Pope Francis, American-born Cardinal Robert Prevost is drawing increased attention as a potential candidate to lead the Catholic Church. The 69-year-old Augustinian friar currently serves as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, the Vatican office tasked with advising the pope on episcopal appointments globally.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, originally from Chicago, has spent the majority of his life outside the United States, primarily in Peru and Rome. His background blends missionary experience from serving in Peru for many years with high-level administrative roles within his religious order and the Roman Curia.
After joining the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985, Prevost held various positions including teaching in seminaries, serving in church courts, and leading a parish. He later became the head of the Augustinians' Chicago province and, from 2001 to 2013, served as prior general of the worldwide order based in Rome, traveling extensively to its communities in nearly 50 countries.
Pope Francis appointed him bishop of Chiclayo in northern Peru in 2014. In 2023, Francis called him back to Rome for full-time service, naming him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, succeeding Cardinal Marc Ouellet. Later that year, Prevost was elevated to the rank of Cardinal Bishop.
Prevost holds degrees from Villanova University, Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, where he earned a doctorate in canon law. His understanding of church law provides a measure of reassurance for those concerned about changes in church structures.
He is known for a reserved but determined style and speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese. This polyglot ability allows him to communicate directly with cardinals from diverse regions.
Those considering Prevost often point to his blend of pastoral experience from the peripheries and expertise in central church governance as a desirable combination. He is seen as a figure who could provide continuity with Francis's priorities while bringing a more structured approach to administration. Resource 3 noted that observers describe him as il meno americano tra gli americani, or “the least American of the Americans.”
Cardinal Prevost has spoken on the challenge of maintaining unity amidst diversity in a polarized society. He cautioned against confusing unity with uniformity or embracing diversity without order. He has worked in a conciliatory role, including addressing concerns from German bishops regarding the Synodal Way.
Potential concerns include his relatively low public profile and questions raised by the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) regarding his handling of past abuse complaints in Chicago and Peru. Those defending his actions point to the context of the times and his later work in child protection.
His appeal often centers on his pragmatic, cautious, and discreet approach, seen by many as a welcome change in style, even if he maintains similar pastoral directions to the late pontiff.
"Maintaining unity in diversity is a real challenge," Cardinal Prevost said in an interview published by the Augustinians. "Especially when polarization has become the default mode of a society that, instead of seeking unity as a fundamental principle, swings from one extreme to the other.”
