What do you think?
Rate this book
Pope Leo XIV: The Biography
A deeply personal biography of Pope Leo XIV, featuring his first-ever public interview as pope, from Elise Ann Allen, journalist and Rome correspondent for Crux.
“An extraordinary achievement . . . a masterful and amazingly intimate portrait of our new pope.”—Austen Ivereigh, biographer of Pope Francis
On May 8, 2025, the whole world watched with great anticipation as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, and the new pope who emerged to greet us from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica was a surprise to all. He was a man no one expected, a “dark horse candidate,” as the media came to call him, and the first-ever American to be elected—Robert Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV.
But why him? What did the other cardinals see in Robert Prevost? Who is Leo XIV? How did his path lead him to the Holy See, and what can we expect from him?
Elise Ann Allen offers here the only biography of Pope Leo XIV, featuring the Holy Father’s very first interview after his election. She gives readers an intimate and detailed account of the life of Robert Prevost, from his birth in Chicago and his first years as a priest in the Augustinian order to his years as a missionary in Peru and the vital role he came to play in the Vatican as head of bishops. The result is an inspiring picture of a man of profound character, spiritual leadership, integrity, warmth, and citizenship in the world.
This biography is replete with revealing stories and reflections from those who know Leo XIV personally, details of his pastoral ministry over the years, and analysis of his global perspective as a dual citizen of the United States and Peru.
Pope Leo XIV is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the Church’s pastor—his priorities, convictions, and vision for the future of faith.
“An extraordinary achievement . . . a masterful and amazingly intimate portrait of our new pope.”—Austen Ivereigh, biographer of Pope Francis
On May 8, 2025, the whole world watched with great anticipation as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, and the new pope who emerged to greet us from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica was a surprise to all. He was a man no one expected, a “dark horse candidate,” as the media came to call him, and the first-ever American to be elected—Robert Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV.
But why him? What did the other cardinals see in Robert Prevost? Who is Leo XIV? How did his path lead him to the Holy See, and what can we expect from him?
Elise Ann Allen offers here the only biography of Pope Leo XIV, featuring the Holy Father’s very first interview after his election. She gives readers an intimate and detailed account of the life of Robert Prevost, from his birth in Chicago and his first years as a priest in the Augustinian order to his years as a missionary in Peru and the vital role he came to play in the Vatican as head of bishops. The result is an inspiring picture of a man of profound character, spiritual leadership, integrity, warmth, and citizenship in the world.
This biography is replete with revealing stories and reflections from those who know Leo XIV personally, details of his pastoral ministry over the years, and analysis of his global perspective as a dual citizen of the United States and Peru.
Pope Leo XIV is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the Church’s pastor—his priorities, convictions, and vision for the future of faith.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 16, 2026
Decent early and laudatory but uncritical biography of Leo 14. The author has known and obviously has admired Robert Prevost for some time. She adequately relates his life story but overlooks or minimizes any failings. A particularly egregious point is when Prevost as bishop signed off on a supervision document on a pedophile priest that did not adequately keep him away from children. The author absolves Prevost responsibility by stating his signature was a formality. This is wrong, if your signature is required, it means you have decision rights and if the supervision of this priest was lacking, Prevost owns some of the responsibility as a signatory to the supervision document. Additionally the last chapter of the book is an interview the author conducted with Pope Leo two months after his election. Mostly softball questions. No probing questions, e.g. what keeps you up at night. What do you see as your greatest personal weakness? What is your biggest fear as Pope? Many books will be written about the first American Pope, this book is a decent first attempt to describe the life of Pope Leo to this point.
May 12, 2026
Pope Leo XIV by Elise Ann Allen sets out to explain the rise of Robert Prevost, the first American pope, tracing his journey from Chicago to the Augustinian order, missionary work in Peru, and eventually the Vatican, where he became a significant figure before his election as Pope Leo XIV. It also aims to sketch what kind of pontiff he may become, his priorities, and the direction of the modern Church.
This was an okay read, though often more dutiful than illuminating. The strongest material comes when Allen focuses on Leo’s background, his years in Peru, and the practical path that led him to Rome. Those sections at least give the reader a sense of the man behind the title.
Unfortunately, the book is weighed down by passages of grand commentary and windy analysis. We get paragraphs explaining modern America in sweeping terms, or pronouncements about synodality and not going backward, all written in a style that manages to be both earnest and vague. There are many sentences that sound important while saying remarkably little.
The main theme seemed to be that Leo will talk to people. That may well be true, and it may even be admirable, but after the fifth variation on the point it begins to feel thin gruel stretched over too many pages.
The saving grace is the interview at the end of the book, which was worth the read on its own. There, finally, the fog clears a little and an actual voice emerges. It is the one part of the book that feels immediate rather than interpretive.
Skip the book and read the interview.
This was an okay read, though often more dutiful than illuminating. The strongest material comes when Allen focuses on Leo’s background, his years in Peru, and the practical path that led him to Rome. Those sections at least give the reader a sense of the man behind the title.
Unfortunately, the book is weighed down by passages of grand commentary and windy analysis. We get paragraphs explaining modern America in sweeping terms, or pronouncements about synodality and not going backward, all written in a style that manages to be both earnest and vague. There are many sentences that sound important while saying remarkably little.
The main theme seemed to be that Leo will talk to people. That may well be true, and it may even be admirable, but after the fifth variation on the point it begins to feel thin gruel stretched over too many pages.
The saving grace is the interview at the end of the book, which was worth the read on its own. There, finally, the fog clears a little and an actual voice emerges. It is the one part of the book that feels immediate rather than interpretive.
Skip the book and read the interview.
May 21, 2026
I'm going to be the outlier here.
I need to start this off by saying I absolutely love a good biography - learning the background and history of a person that one doesn't typically see in their current position, learning how it shaped them and their world. I had been excited to read this one, knowing that Pope Leo XIV was the first American Pope. However, it fell very, very short of my expectations.
I found it to be wordy, often times sounding as if the author just really likes to use big words to sound more educated or informed. It was less a biography of Pipe Leo XIV than it was a combination of the authors memoir around meeting the Pope (first as a cardinal, then later as the newly elected Pope) and part history/informative work on the Catholic Church. Perhaps someone a little farther removed from the situation would have presented a better history of the man.
**Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Christian Publishing for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.**
I need to start this off by saying I absolutely love a good biography - learning the background and history of a person that one doesn't typically see in their current position, learning how it shaped them and their world. I had been excited to read this one, knowing that Pope Leo XIV was the first American Pope. However, it fell very, very short of my expectations.
I found it to be wordy, often times sounding as if the author just really likes to use big words to sound more educated or informed. It was less a biography of Pipe Leo XIV than it was a combination of the authors memoir around meeting the Pope (first as a cardinal, then later as the newly elected Pope) and part history/informative work on the Catholic Church. Perhaps someone a little farther removed from the situation would have presented a better history of the man.
**Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Christian Publishing for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.**
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest evaluation of its merits.
If you are looking for an exhaustive biography of the new pontiff, complete with extended interviews with Prevost/Leo XIV himself, his brothers and and many people in his liturgical life, this is the book for you. It is thorough and written by someone who knows his history and has a deep respect for the man. Her focus on his ministry in Latin America highlights his work within the church and the deeper social and political challenges facing Peru and the region gives the reader a more fully developed perspective on the man and the impact of his work on a micro and macro level.
While one could argue the author's proximity to Prevost before his election as pope (she has had the man over for dinner) might color her view of the new pontiff, it also has given her access that otherwise would have impossible. Also, the closeness with Allen does not seem out of character for Prevost/Leo, who was known to walk the streets and help the average person when in Peru. The colorful story about the Pope and his barber at the end is both fun and insightful into who the leader of the largest church in the world is.
Originally written in Spanish and then translated into English, the writing style takes a little time to get used to, but it's not a big deal at all. The only challenge I found in this book was a structural one: extended quotes. I do not know whether this is because of the writing style of the author or that the speed with which the work was brought to market did not allow for more editing of the source material, but there is a regular practice of using multi-paragraph quotes over shorter passages woven into the narrative. Yes, it gives me a chance to see how the subject speaks and forms complete thoughts, but it read more like an academic work than a general market book.
Perhaps it is a nod to more long-form journalism that I am used to reading in American journalism and non-fiction, but I found points where I thought the previous two paragraphs could have been condensed into a sentence or two with some context. That said, reprinting the interview in whole as the last chapter was worth every word. Choosing which interviews to condense and which ones to leave expanded would have devalued the thoughts of some over others, so giving all sources space to express themselves may be a choice as much about equality as it is about editorial style.
This small issue aside, this is a very good book for understanding the internal and external forces that shaped Robert Francis Prevost into the Bishop of Rome.
If you are looking for an exhaustive biography of the new pontiff, complete with extended interviews with Prevost/Leo XIV himself, his brothers and and many people in his liturgical life, this is the book for you. It is thorough and written by someone who knows his history and has a deep respect for the man. Her focus on his ministry in Latin America highlights his work within the church and the deeper social and political challenges facing Peru and the region gives the reader a more fully developed perspective on the man and the impact of his work on a micro and macro level.
While one could argue the author's proximity to Prevost before his election as pope (she has had the man over for dinner) might color her view of the new pontiff, it also has given her access that otherwise would have impossible. Also, the closeness with Allen does not seem out of character for Prevost/Leo, who was known to walk the streets and help the average person when in Peru. The colorful story about the Pope and his barber at the end is both fun and insightful into who the leader of the largest church in the world is.
Originally written in Spanish and then translated into English, the writing style takes a little time to get used to, but it's not a big deal at all. The only challenge I found in this book was a structural one: extended quotes. I do not know whether this is because of the writing style of the author or that the speed with which the work was brought to market did not allow for more editing of the source material, but there is a regular practice of using multi-paragraph quotes over shorter passages woven into the narrative. Yes, it gives me a chance to see how the subject speaks and forms complete thoughts, but it read more like an academic work than a general market book.
Perhaps it is a nod to more long-form journalism that I am used to reading in American journalism and non-fiction, but I found points where I thought the previous two paragraphs could have been condensed into a sentence or two with some context. That said, reprinting the interview in whole as the last chapter was worth every word. Choosing which interviews to condense and which ones to leave expanded would have devalued the thoughts of some over others, so giving all sources space to express themselves may be a choice as much about equality as it is about editorial style.
This small issue aside, this is a very good book for understanding the internal and external forces that shaped Robert Francis Prevost into the Bishop of Rome.
June 1, 2026
Robert Prevost aka Pope XIV is a multi-faceted man. I only knew who was an American from Chicago but after reading this biography I learned that he was preparing himself for his role as the head of the Roman Catholic Church playing priest as a small child with his brothers. He never wavered or changed his mind about being a cleric. He grew up in a middle class neighborhood with his two older brothers, mother who was a teacher and father a superintendent. He went on to college and divinity school and served most of his religious time in Peru serving the poor and marginalized which he held and still do hold a deep affection for the Country Peruvian people. He served on numerous boards and committees, and participated in community affairs, fundraising, attending festivals and spreading the gospel and love for his fellow humans. He made many lifelong friends and became a Godfather to a good friend of his. He was a great believer of involving everyone lay person, bishops, families etc in the church allowing everyone a voice which he still believes in today as Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo has opinions on other things outside of his duties as head of the Catholic Church. For example he believes AI can be used for good things i e medicine, but can also distort reality when misused resulting in fake news. I enjoyed reading the unknown tidbits about him like his ability to speak different languages, his older brother a Trump supporter, his mother being of mixed ancestry, creole, French, Spanish and African American, he still keeps in touch with his god daughter and his close relationship with his barber, his love of driving fast and playing The Mamas & The Papas, his bravado in the unstable , corrupt and unsafe times during his time in South America. So with all these experiences makes him as human as we all are. He really was born to be the Pope. The none ending jargon did not hold my attention so I skipped over a lot of the “churchy” stuff and moved along to finish the book. It won’t be for everyone but it will be of interest to those who would like to know a little more about Pope Leo XIV. I didn’t care enjoy the interview at the end of the book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A great book about Pope Leo XIV.
This is my second book about Pope Leao XIV, and by far my preferred book about Pope Leo XIV. This book was originally written in Spanish (I believe) and translated to English.
This book really does a good job explaining the complications in regards to the political situation in Peru while "Father Bob" was in Peru.
I love how "Father Bob" was around people. The author said that if people were sitting, he sat; if people standing, he stood; if people were singing, he sang; if people were dancing, he danced. He wanted people to feel comfortable around him.
He put women in positions, because they could fill a role that needed to be filled. The women helped grow the community.
I also love that Pope Leo XIV loves to drive (and some people said, maybe a little too fast with the music on a little too loud ... love that!). Love that Pope Leo XIV is a real person. So glad he is in the position that he is in!
Great book! Highly regarded and recommended!
Many thanks to Elise Ann Allen for writing, for NetGalley and Penguin Random House Christian Publishing for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Pope Leo XIV in exchange for an honest review. Approx 336 pages. Release date was April 28, 2026.
This is my second book about Pope Leao XIV, and by far my preferred book about Pope Leo XIV. This book was originally written in Spanish (I believe) and translated to English.
This book really does a good job explaining the complications in regards to the political situation in Peru while "Father Bob" was in Peru.
I love how "Father Bob" was around people. The author said that if people were sitting, he sat; if people standing, he stood; if people were singing, he sang; if people were dancing, he danced. He wanted people to feel comfortable around him.
He put women in positions, because they could fill a role that needed to be filled. The women helped grow the community.
I also love that Pope Leo XIV loves to drive (and some people said, maybe a little too fast with the music on a little too loud ... love that!). Love that Pope Leo XIV is a real person. So glad he is in the position that he is in!
Great book! Highly regarded and recommended!
Many thanks to Elise Ann Allen for writing, for NetGalley and Penguin Random House Christian Publishing for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Pope Leo XIV in exchange for an honest review. Approx 336 pages. Release date was April 28, 2026.
May 7, 2026
I am still enjoying reading this book. Here are my thoughts thus far:
This book gives us amazing insight into the life of Pope Leo XIV. His roots in Chicago and early days as an Augustinian priest. His transformative, ground-level pastoral ministry as a missionary in Peru. His high-level administrative experience in the Vatican as the head of bishops.
It explores his unique global perspective by framing him through his dual citizenship (United States and Peru).
But this isn't just about timeline of accomplishments, this book aims to give us deeply personal narrative. Augmented by stories and reflections from those who know Pope Leo XIV personally, the writer captures the warmth, integrity and spiritual leadership of the man.
For Catholics, curious protestants, and history enthusiasts alike, this book promises to be the great introductory guide. It sets out to provide not just the resume of a surprise candidate, but the character, pastoral priorities, and future vision of the man now leading the catholic church.
This book gives us amazing insight into the life of Pope Leo XIV. His roots in Chicago and early days as an Augustinian priest. His transformative, ground-level pastoral ministry as a missionary in Peru. His high-level administrative experience in the Vatican as the head of bishops.
It explores his unique global perspective by framing him through his dual citizenship (United States and Peru).
But this isn't just about timeline of accomplishments, this book aims to give us deeply personal narrative. Augmented by stories and reflections from those who know Pope Leo XIV personally, the writer captures the warmth, integrity and spiritual leadership of the man.
For Catholics, curious protestants, and history enthusiasts alike, this book promises to be the great introductory guide. It sets out to provide not just the resume of a surprise candidate, but the character, pastoral priorities, and future vision of the man now leading the catholic church.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've read a few biographies and books about Pope Leo by now. This is the most substantive one by far. Allen has really done her research. The book not only features her in-depth interviews with the pope himself, but also with multiple people who have known and worked with him over the years, in Chicago, Peru, Rome, and other places where he's traveled, studied, and worked. The resulting portrait gives us a real sense of what he brings to this particular cultural and historical moment.
(Side note: I've been amused at how every Leo biography that's come out so far has been touted as the first one. I wonder how far we'll get into this papacy before each biography stops being billed as the first biography? Publicists gotta publicize, I get that, but it's time to come up with some adjectives other than "first"!)
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
(Side note: I've been amused at how every Leo biography that's come out so far has been touted as the first one. I wonder how far we'll get into this papacy before each biography stops being billed as the first biography? Publicists gotta publicize, I get that, but it's time to come up with some adjectives other than "first"!)
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
May 4, 2026
Elise is a powerful writer with a clear closeness and affection for the Holy Father. The book is a quick read - due mostly to Elise’s engaging journalistic style - but it is absolutely chock full of stories, insights, and personal reflections from Pope Leo and friends. I know a fair bit about the Holy Father already…but I still learned so much! This is essential reading for anyone looking to understand Robert Prevost and the Vatican of today, and a great addition to any Catholic home library.
May 4, 2026
Forward thinking, unifying, problem solving, thoughtful and highly likable Pontiff. He’s a bridge builder and the right person to lead the Catholic Church.
He knew at age 14 he wanted to be a priest. He believes in fostering young people and mission work. Very well read with a wry sense of humor.
Author interviewed the Pope, his brothers, teachers, fellow clergy and parishioners.
He knew at age 14 he wanted to be a priest. He believes in fostering young people and mission work. Very well read with a wry sense of humor.
Author interviewed the Pope, his brothers, teachers, fellow clergy and parishioners.
June 19, 2026
Good book (but at times a bit boring for me I think I just find Allen's writing a bit dry even when it's not). It highlights:
- Pope Leo's patience, care, and understanding
- The level of respect that others have for him
- The pain loved ones have when there is a Pope in the family (or among friends)
- The corruption Prevost had to face in various areas
- Pope Leo's patience, care, and understanding
- The level of respect that others have for him
- The pain loved ones have when there is a Pope in the family (or among friends)
- The corruption Prevost had to face in various areas
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow, this book was such an insight into Pope Leo’s mind, his background, his focus on ministry, the love for the church and how that defined him. As someone who grew up within the Church, it is so refreshing to see his character within these pages. Would 100% recommend!
May 29, 2026
A wonderful biography of our wonderful pope Leo
I love this book and recommend everyone who wants to know more about Pope Leo to read this book. The more I read this book, the more I admire, respect and love Pope Leo! He’s truly a great gift from God to the world and the Church today. Thanks Elise Allen for this amazing work, I really appreciate your book.
I love this book and recommend everyone who wants to know more about Pope Leo to read this book. The more I read this book, the more I admire, respect and love Pope Leo! He’s truly a great gift from God to the world and the Church today. Thanks Elise Allen for this amazing work, I really appreciate your book.
June 20, 2026
Factual but unbelievably boring. Struggled to read and did not finish…
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review.
Though I am not religious now I did go to church as a kid and my grandmother was Roman Catholic. So I have always been interested in the Pope as a person and find the process of picking a new Pope quite interesting.
With Pope Leo being the first pope from the USA I was definitely interested in finding out about him as a person and who he might be as the Pope.
This book was very informative about who Pope Leo was before he became the Pope. He seems like a really good person who cares about the people. I think he will make a very good Pope and I can't wait to see what he does as time goes on.
Though I am not religious now I did go to church as a kid and my grandmother was Roman Catholic. So I have always been interested in the Pope as a person and find the process of picking a new Pope quite interesting.
With Pope Leo being the first pope from the USA I was definitely interested in finding out about him as a person and who he might be as the Pope.
This book was very informative about who Pope Leo was before he became the Pope. He seems like a really good person who cares about the people. I think he will make a very good Pope and I can't wait to see what he does as time goes on.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews