Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost – now known as Pope Leo 14th – is the first American Pontiff, writing history.

The young Pope is 69 years old, he is from Chicago and spent much of his career as a missionary in South America.

His election is continuity of the late Pope Francis And he is expected to continue his reforms in the church, as well as his focus on poor and marginalized people.

CNN made a list of 10 things we didn’t know about Pope Leo:

Is the ‘less American’ of American cardinals

Prevost was born in Chicago. But in the Vatican, where he finally lived and worked, he was considered the “less American” of the US cardinals.

He has worked for a decade in Trouhillo, Peru and was later appointed bishop of Tsiklagio, another city of Peru, where he served from 2014 to 2023.

He speaks fluently Spanish and Italian – which he showed both in his first speech to the public at St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis appreciated him very much

The late Pope Francis “respected him and appreciated him,” according to CNN correspondent in the Vatican, Christopher Lamb. “It is clear that Pope Francis was seeing something in him – he saw him as a capable leader,” he says.

CNN correspondent met the new Pope when he was a cardinal and describes him as “Very thoughtful and measured.”

Is a member of the Augustine Order

Pope Leo is a member of the Augustine Religious Order, which is widespread worldwide. He led the Order for more than a decade as a general abbot.

The new Pontiff in his first statements said he was the son of St. Augustine and mentioned the famous phrase of the saint: “For you I am bishop, with you, after all, I am a Christian”. This phrase reflects the idea that all people in the hierarchy of the Church – from leaders to members – walk together.

Has a great leadership experience

Pope Francis appointed Prevost as the head of the bishops’ court, that is, as responsible for the evaluation of the candidates and the new appointments.

He has also served as chairman of the Papal Committee on Latin America.

“From a very young man, he was appointed to leadership roles”said the CNN analyst in the Vatican, Elise Allen. “It is thought to be calm and balanced and clear in his beliefs. He thinks he knows what needs to be done and is too dynamic, “he commented.

Has a missionary orientation

“I still consider myself a missionary. My inclination, like every Christian, is to be a missionary, to proclaim the Gospel wherever I am, “ The young Pope said in an interview with Vatican News shortly after taking up his duties.

He had once said in an interview that his term in Peru was the life experience that shaped him.

“Although it comes from the West will be very careful in the needs of a world church”said Allen.

He is also Peruvian citizen

The Pope has double citizenship. From the US and Peru. Pontiff of American descent acquired Peruvian citizenship in August 2015, according to the National Register of Immigration of Peru.

Peru President Dina Boluarte described his election calling her “Historical moment for Peru and the world.”

By his papal name he states that he will be on the side of the poor

The last Pope named Leo, Pope Leo III, was a Pontiff who was on the side of the poor and defended the workers.

Leo III, who was Pope from 1878 to 1903, placed great emphasis on workers’ rights and universal social doctrine.

So the choice of this name is a strong statement about his papacy.

Priest

Considered central and united

The young Pope agrees with Francis on the direction of the Church and the process of promoting a global church without exclusion.

Leo is expected to emphasize more on progressives on social issues such as immigration and poverty, but also to align themselves with moderate ethical issues of universal doctrine.

In order to gather a two -thirds majority in the Cardinal College, it should have a widespread appeal, even among the more moderate or conservative members.

Studied math

The Pope received a degree in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and then received his diploma in Theology from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.

Eventually, he went to Rome to study normal law and later taught in his career at the Trujillo’s priests in Peru.

Loves tennis

‘I consider myself an amateur tennis player’, He had stated in an interview shortly after he became a cardinal.

“Ever since I left Peru I had a few opportunities to train, so I am looking forward to returning to the stadium”, He had said.

He had also revealed in an interview that in his spare time he liked to read, walk and travel to “new and different places”.