📰 Title:
“‘The Least American of the Americans’: Bishop Prevost Emerges as a Global Church Leader”
VATICAN CITY — May 9, 2025
In the halls of the Vatican, where national identity often fades behind centuries-old tradition and clerical robes, one American bishop stands out precisely because he doesn’t fit the mold. Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born cleric with deep multicultural roots and extensive global experience, has quickly become one of the most influential figures in the Catholic Church today.
Dubbed “The least American of the Americans” by Italian Vatican correspondent Iacopo Scaramuzzi, Prevost’s rise is marked not by political connections or media presence, but by his commitment to mission, education, and quiet leadership across borders. His diverse background—Italian, French, and Spanish heritage—mirrors his global ecclesial journey, making him a unique voice in the college of bishops.
Prevost began his priesthood in the remote corners of Peru, where he served as a missionary during the early part of his career. There, he developed a pastoral style grounded in humility and proximity to the people, qualities that have continued to define his leadership. “He listens before he speaks, and when he speaks, it’s with clarity and conviction,” said one former colleague in Lima.
His reputation as a thoughtful statesman and theologian followed him to Rome, where he eventually became the head of Pope Francis’s main advisory group for appointing new bishops—a powerful position that has helped shape the global Church’s future leadership.
Now, with wide name recognition and a résumé that includes missionary work, Vatican governance, and theological education, Prevost is seen as a frontrunner in a Church that increasingly values cross-cultural fluency and experience. Among a global body of electors who often have little in common, Prevost’s ability to bridge gaps may prove decisive.
As the Church faces complex global challenges—from secularization in the West to explosive growth in the Global South—leaders like Prevost represent a new type of Catholic authority: not defined by borders, but by service and adaptability.