American Pontiff: Pope Leo XIV and His Plan to Heal the Church

by Paul Kengor

THE DEFINITIVE BIOGRAPHY OF THE FIRST AMERICAN POPE

The Life, Teachings and Leadership Qualities of Pope Leo XIV.

From New York Times bestselling author and noted Catholic historian Dr Paul A portrait of Robert Francis Prevost, his background and life, theological beliefs and teachings, relationship with his predecessors and fellow cardinals and clergy, and rise to become the 267th elected Pontiff and first American Pope, and the challenges he will face and how he is likely to lead the Catholic Church, including interviews with Catholic and papal experts.

Dr Kengor has focused much of his work on Ronald Reagan, faith and the presidency, conservative politics, the Cold War, Communism, and Catholicism, and he will bring his own vast knowledge and expertise, and exclusive interviews with Catholic and Papal experts to his biography of Pope Leo XIV. As the Editor of The American Spectator, executive director and chief academic fellow at the Institute for Faith & Freedom, professor of political science at Grove City College, and author of over twenty books, A Pope and a President, God and Ronald Reagan, and The Divine Plan, Dr Kengor’s POPE LEO THE FIRST AMERICAN PONTIFF will be the definitive biography of Robert Francis Prevost and his likely impact on the Catholic Church and place in the history of Christianity and the world.

438 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2026

About the author

Paul G. Kengor is an author and professor of political science at Grove City College and the senior director of the Institute for Faith and Freedom, a Grove City College think tank. He is a visiting fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace. Kengor has focused much of his work on Ronald Reagan, faith and the presidency, conservative politics, the Cold War, Communism, and Catholicism.

Reviews

[Kelly O’Brien · Rating 1 out of 5]

A profoundly disappointing read. With the subtitle “the Definitive Biography”, I was expecting something magnificent like George Weigel’s biography of St. Pope John Paul II. This book is sooooo biased. The author constantly criticizes Pope Francis. It would have more aptly been subtitle something about how terrible the author thinks Pope Francis was. The Pope Leo biographies by Mike Schmitz, Christopher White, and Matthew Bunson are better - more objective.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Habamus Papam! The first American Pope in history. A man for our time whose first words from the Loggia to the crowd gathered, PEACE. In our war weary world we need a calm steady voice. We have wondered down the path of hate and destruction. We are as lost sheep who desperately need a shepherd; one who hears the voice of The Good Shepherd.
Will his duties be easy? No but with Jesus assurance: This is my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, Pope Leo XVI faces the challenges of this world and its wickedness with all the Hosts of Heaven, angels and saints, and the prayers of his flock. Invoking the St. Michael Prayer against evil given to Pope Leo the XIII, we journey on.

[Christy Wedding]

Engaging and enlightening

This book not only gave me a better look at Pope Leo it also gave me a better look at the Popes before him. Excellent book, I couldn't put it down.

[Ronald E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent biographical portrait of Pope Leo XIV.