What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
20 days and 12:05:30
15 copies available
U.S. only
American Pope: Leo XIV's Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City
Win a free print copy of this book!
20 days and 12:05:30
15 copies available
U.S. only
From the co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered and NPR’s Senior Editor of Religion and Spirituality, a deeply reported, revelatory biography of Robert Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, that offers rare and exciting new insight into the life and times of the man who would come to lead the Catholic Church.
On May 8, 2025, eighteen days after the death of Pope Francis, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti stepped out on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to share the name of the new leader of the Catholic Church.
“Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum, Robertum Franciscum Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Prevost—qui sibi nomen imposuit Leo XIV.”
For the first time in its 2,000 year history, the Catholic Church would be led by an American.
NPR’s Daniel Burke and Scott Detrow, who were in St. Peter’s Square that day leading the network’s coverage, were among those shocked by the selection. Growing up in the faith as kids and reporting on it as adults, they had been told it was an article of faith, a given, that the Catholic Church would never elect an American pope. And yet, there was Prevost—now Leo XIV—smiling, waving, and declaring to the crowd in Italian, “Peace be with you.”
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who grew up just outside Chicago but had spent much of his adult life in Peru, had been a dark horse candidate to say the least–an unassuming Augustinian who had only recently been promoted to the top levels of Church leadership. His elevation to the most prominent religious seat in the world prompted unprecedented enthusiasm—a surge of “Da Pope” memes and American tourists flocking to Rome with gifts of deep dish pizza and hats from Villanova (his alma mater)—but despite international media coverage and fascination, the scope of Prevost’s journey has yet to be told in full, intimate detail.
Now, in American Pope, Burke and Detrow present the first comprehensive, impressively sourced biography of the new pontiff. The two journalists spent the year after Leo’s election reporting in Peru, Chicago, and Rome. They tracked down Leo’s close confidants, childhood friends, family members, classmates, fellow clergy, and Vatican insiders. They gained unprecedented access to archival documents, letters, emails, and other personal correspondence that provide key insights into Prevost’s experiences and views. As a result, readers are introduced to a man at varying stages of his Robert, a quiet young boy from a working-class parish straddling Chicago’s southern border, coming into his faith in Kennedy-era America; Bob, a serious student who writes for his high school paper and spends time in the seminary leading family interventions for alcoholics; Padre and Monsignor Roberto, a stabilizing and hopeful presence in impoverished and terrorized communities of Peru, and who would help lead his diocese through the COVID-19 pandemic; Father Bob, the leader of the Augustinian order at a time of crisis for the Catholic Church; Cardinal Prevost, the unassuming ally of Pope Francis; and, finally, Leo, whose ascension will forever change the Church he serves and loves.
Enlightening, engrossing, and undeniably human, American Pope is the key to understanding one of the most consequential figures of our time.
A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books
On May 8, 2025, eighteen days after the death of Pope Francis, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti stepped out on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to share the name of the new leader of the Catholic Church.
“Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum, Robertum Franciscum Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Prevost—qui sibi nomen imposuit Leo XIV.”
For the first time in its 2,000 year history, the Catholic Church would be led by an American.
NPR’s Daniel Burke and Scott Detrow, who were in St. Peter’s Square that day leading the network’s coverage, were among those shocked by the selection. Growing up in the faith as kids and reporting on it as adults, they had been told it was an article of faith, a given, that the Catholic Church would never elect an American pope. And yet, there was Prevost—now Leo XIV—smiling, waving, and declaring to the crowd in Italian, “Peace be with you.”
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who grew up just outside Chicago but had spent much of his adult life in Peru, had been a dark horse candidate to say the least–an unassuming Augustinian who had only recently been promoted to the top levels of Church leadership. His elevation to the most prominent religious seat in the world prompted unprecedented enthusiasm—a surge of “Da Pope” memes and American tourists flocking to Rome with gifts of deep dish pizza and hats from Villanova (his alma mater)—but despite international media coverage and fascination, the scope of Prevost’s journey has yet to be told in full, intimate detail.
Now, in American Pope, Burke and Detrow present the first comprehensive, impressively sourced biography of the new pontiff. The two journalists spent the year after Leo’s election reporting in Peru, Chicago, and Rome. They tracked down Leo’s close confidants, childhood friends, family members, classmates, fellow clergy, and Vatican insiders. They gained unprecedented access to archival documents, letters, emails, and other personal correspondence that provide key insights into Prevost’s experiences and views. As a result, readers are introduced to a man at varying stages of his Robert, a quiet young boy from a working-class parish straddling Chicago’s southern border, coming into his faith in Kennedy-era America; Bob, a serious student who writes for his high school paper and spends time in the seminary leading family interventions for alcoholics; Padre and Monsignor Roberto, a stabilizing and hopeful presence in impoverished and terrorized communities of Peru, and who would help lead his diocese through the COVID-19 pandemic; Father Bob, the leader of the Augustinian order at a time of crisis for the Catholic Church; Cardinal Prevost, the unassuming ally of Pope Francis; and, finally, Leo, whose ascension will forever change the Church he serves and loves.
Enlightening, engrossing, and undeniably human, American Pope is the key to understanding one of the most consequential figures of our time.
A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books
Audible Audio
Published October 6, 2026
About the author
Daniel Burke
52 books28 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 16, 2026
Thank you Flatiron Books for the free copy!
Robert Francis Prevost grew up on the South Side of Chicago and on May 8th, 2025 it was announced he would become the new head of the Catholic Church. Stunning news as Pope Leo is the first American Pope and because he flew so much under the radar, most of the world was left wondering, who is this guy?
This biography covers his family’s roots, his childhood, schooling, and his life’s work. His mom was a devout Catholic and both parents instilled in him at an early age the importance of serving others. Even as a child he was drawn to the church, developing a strong relationship with Jesus. While he contemplated other careers in fields like law and education, his faith led him to attending a seminary high school in Michigan and joining the Order of Saint Augustine. In 1985, he joined a mission in Peru and spent many years there to the point he considers the country his adopted home. He rose in rank within the church, eventually becoming a Cardinal. His close association with Pope Francis propelled him into a viable candidate during the papal conclave.
I was curious about Pope Leo as he seems like an ordinary guy who went on to do extraordinary things. This book provided great insight into his character. He is thoughtful and measured in his approach but hasn’t shied away from speaking out at times. While there are certainly long standing issues within the Catholic Church, with him at the helm it does appear there is potential for some positive change.
Worth reading if you want to learn more about one of the world’s most influential leaders.
Robert Francis Prevost grew up on the South Side of Chicago and on May 8th, 2025 it was announced he would become the new head of the Catholic Church. Stunning news as Pope Leo is the first American Pope and because he flew so much under the radar, most of the world was left wondering, who is this guy?
This biography covers his family’s roots, his childhood, schooling, and his life’s work. His mom was a devout Catholic and both parents instilled in him at an early age the importance of serving others. Even as a child he was drawn to the church, developing a strong relationship with Jesus. While he contemplated other careers in fields like law and education, his faith led him to attending a seminary high school in Michigan and joining the Order of Saint Augustine. In 1985, he joined a mission in Peru and spent many years there to the point he considers the country his adopted home. He rose in rank within the church, eventually becoming a Cardinal. His close association with Pope Francis propelled him into a viable candidate during the papal conclave.
I was curious about Pope Leo as he seems like an ordinary guy who went on to do extraordinary things. This book provided great insight into his character. He is thoughtful and measured in his approach but hasn’t shied away from speaking out at times. While there are certainly long standing issues within the Catholic Church, with him at the helm it does appear there is potential for some positive change.
Worth reading if you want to learn more about one of the world’s most influential leaders.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
OK, so since I a) work at NPR and b) am a cradle Catholic whose early religious training came from Western Province Dominican Friars, so as such, c) am a big fan of the current Pope, the fact that I am into this book is not going to shock anybody.
But I honestly didn't expect to dig it this much. It is a thoughtful examination of the pontiff's life, paired with a sometimes dense unpacking of the history of the things that have shaped him -- the Augustinians in America; the factions within the church after Vatican II, etc. -- that helps to illuminate the central story. And ultimately, it's a moving and engaging portrait of a man whose most consistent quality seems to be the willingness to go where he is called, whether that's to a struggling part of Peru or the church's highest office.
But I honestly didn't expect to dig it this much. It is a thoughtful examination of the pontiff's life, paired with a sometimes dense unpacking of the history of the things that have shaped him -- the Augustinians in America; the factions within the church after Vatican II, etc. -- that helps to illuminate the central story. And ultimately, it's a moving and engaging portrait of a man whose most consistent quality seems to be the willingness to go where he is called, whether that's to a struggling part of Peru or the church's highest office.
October 9, 2026
“A missionary goes where he is not loved, but needed, and stays until he is loved, but no longer needed” (Fr. James Walsh, MM).
"Well, the South Side of Chicago/Is the baddest part of town,
And if you go down there/You better just beware” (Jim Croce).
An advance copy of a biography of our American Pope fell into my hands thanks to an unnamed *cough*son*cough* who is employed at a bookstore somewhere in Houston. I was allowed to read it, but forbidden to put out a review until October 6 when it would be released for sale.
Whew! So much weight and so little strength to bear it! But at last I can unload my thoughts and review on this look at the man who ascended to the most powerful seat that straddles this world and the next.
Daniel Burke and Scott Detrow sketch the background and upward trajectory of the most improbable successor to the Chair of St. Peter. This may not surprise you, but our future Pope came from a religious family, attended Catholic school, and participated in CYO activities and sports. For you non-Boomers, CYO stands for “Catholic Youth Organization,” an oasis for teenagers to gather in prayer, basketball, and one-act plays. (Ask me how I know.)
It’s worth noting that Burke and Detrow are long-time writers for NPR (National Public Radio). Yes, it colors their perception, often in detrimental ways. Indeed, it intrudes in the most irritating ways: “The Rule of St. Augustine was written around 400 C.E.” Really? Common Era? What’s so damned common about it?
There’s also the unfair characterization promoted by Pope Francis of Opus Dei promoted: “Although Pope John Paul II had promoted Opus Dei” - that’s SAINT John Paul II to you, by the way – “Francis was much more skeptical.. . . Opus Dei was overly focused on ceremonies and rituals inside the walls of the church; it cultivated relationships with the elites at the expense of the living and working with the poor.” The writers push a conflict with those who “insist on a spiritual orthodoxy” with a “New Image of the Parish.”
More troubling was the description of the Hot Tub Philosophy at CTU – Chicago Theological Union. An entire chapter (7, if you’re counting) covers the experimental innovations all under the guise of Vatican II aggiornamento. The distortions spread from there to virtually every diocese in the country. Our future pope was there, but it seemed he was more of an observer.
The writers also use the National Catholic Reporter as a source. They might as well have used Rolling Stone or Mother Jones.
To their credit, the writers also cover the Pope’s hazardous sojourn in Peru. He faced threats of the Sendero Luminoso, a radical Maoist-inspired terrorist organization responsible for thousands of deaths of innocent civilians. Prevost and his Augustinian community chose to stay with their people in spite of the imminent threat. All along, our future Pope seemed to have the best interests of his ever-growing parish and his fellow friars to heart.
All in all, the book provides the best secular version of Robert Prevost’s life available. My advice? Wait for another book which will detail this Pope’s progress in his Chair.
"Well, the South Side of Chicago/Is the baddest part of town,
And if you go down there/You better just beware” (Jim Croce).
An advance copy of a biography of our American Pope fell into my hands thanks to an unnamed *cough*son*cough* who is employed at a bookstore somewhere in Houston. I was allowed to read it, but forbidden to put out a review until October 6 when it would be released for sale.
Whew! So much weight and so little strength to bear it! But at last I can unload my thoughts and review on this look at the man who ascended to the most powerful seat that straddles this world and the next.
Daniel Burke and Scott Detrow sketch the background and upward trajectory of the most improbable successor to the Chair of St. Peter. This may not surprise you, but our future Pope came from a religious family, attended Catholic school, and participated in CYO activities and sports. For you non-Boomers, CYO stands for “Catholic Youth Organization,” an oasis for teenagers to gather in prayer, basketball, and one-act plays. (Ask me how I know.)
It’s worth noting that Burke and Detrow are long-time writers for NPR (National Public Radio). Yes, it colors their perception, often in detrimental ways. Indeed, it intrudes in the most irritating ways: “The Rule of St. Augustine was written around 400 C.E.” Really? Common Era? What’s so damned common about it?
There’s also the unfair characterization promoted by Pope Francis of Opus Dei promoted: “Although Pope John Paul II had promoted Opus Dei” - that’s SAINT John Paul II to you, by the way – “Francis was much more skeptical.. . . Opus Dei was overly focused on ceremonies and rituals inside the walls of the church; it cultivated relationships with the elites at the expense of the living and working with the poor.” The writers push a conflict with those who “insist on a spiritual orthodoxy” with a “New Image of the Parish.”
More troubling was the description of the Hot Tub Philosophy at CTU – Chicago Theological Union. An entire chapter (7, if you’re counting) covers the experimental innovations all under the guise of Vatican II aggiornamento. The distortions spread from there to virtually every diocese in the country. Our future pope was there, but it seemed he was more of an observer.
The writers also use the National Catholic Reporter as a source. They might as well have used Rolling Stone or Mother Jones.
To their credit, the writers also cover the Pope’s hazardous sojourn in Peru. He faced threats of the Sendero Luminoso, a radical Maoist-inspired terrorist organization responsible for thousands of deaths of innocent civilians. Prevost and his Augustinian community chose to stay with their people in spite of the imminent threat. All along, our future Pope seemed to have the best interests of his ever-growing parish and his fellow friars to heart.
All in all, the book provides the best secular version of Robert Prevost’s life available. My advice? Wait for another book which will detail this Pope’s progress in his Chair.
October 25, 2026
I came to American Pope: Leo XIV’s Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City by Daniel Burke and Scott Detrow with a genuine sense of curiosity. The election of the first American pope is a historic moment in its own right, but my interest extended beyond the novelty of an American occupying the highest office in the Catholic Church. I have long been fascinated by the Church’s enormous influence on European history and the wider world over the last two millennia. As the daughter of two parents who were raised Catholic but ultimately left the Church because of its abuses, I also approached this book with a more personal set of questions. What does it mean to lead an institution with such a complicated legacy? And what might a new pope actually do to confront it?
Burke and Detrow offer an accessible introduction to the life and rise of Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV. The book traces his journey from the South Side of Chicago to the Vatican, exploring the experiences, relationships, and religious commitments that shaped the man who would become the first American pope. It provides a portrait of a figure whose life and ministry extend beyond the familiar image of an American churchman, following his path through religious service and his years of work in Peru before his eventual ascent through the Catholic hierarchy.
The account also places Leo’s election within the broader context of the papacy and the institution he now leads. Becoming pope is not simply a personal achievement; it means inheriting centuries of tradition, political influence, spiritual authority, and institutional baggage. The book offers readers a glimpse into the workings of the Vatican and the circumstances surrounding Leo’s emergence as a global religious leader. For anyone unfamiliar with the inner workings of the Catholic Church, its leadership, or the significance of this particular transition, there is plenty here to establish the necessary background.
As a biography, the book is perfectly serviceable. Burke and Detrow make Leo’s story approachable, and their reporting provides a useful foundation for understanding the experiences that brought him to the papacy. I appreciated having the opportunity to learn more about his background and the work he undertook before becoming pope. There is something genuinely compelling about following a person from an ordinary American upbringing into a position that carries such extraordinary spiritual and political responsibility.
However, I found myself wishing the authors had interrogated their subject more deeply. A biography of a pope should be more than a chronicle of the events that brought him to power, particularly when that individual now leads an institution with so much to answer for.
One detail that particularly struck me was the mention of the nuns at Roberts School beating the children in their care. This was not an abstract historical detail for me. My own parents experienced similar treatment while growing up in Catholic environments, and reading about it immediately made the subject feel personal. Yet I wanted more. What does Leo make of these experiences? How does he understand the harm inflicted on children under the authority of religious institutions? Does he see these practices as isolated failures of the past, or as part of a broader culture in which unquestioned authority too often went hand in hand with cruelty?
These are precisely the kinds of questions I wish the book had pursued. The mention of such treatment opens a door into a much larger conversation, but I was left wanting the authors to walk through it. I wanted more examination of Leo’s own perspective on the Church’s failings, rather than simply an account of the circumstances that shaped him.
And the questions do not end with the treatment of children in Catholic schools. The Catholic Church has an enormous amount to apologize for, most urgently its widespread sexual abuse scandals and the institutional failures that allowed victims to suffer while perpetrators and those who protected them escaped meaningful accountability. Any serious discussion of the Church’s future must reckon with this history. Good intentions, personal piety, and charitable work cannot substitute for transparency, justice, and meaningful reform.
I have no doubt that Leo is a man who has done good work in the name of his God. His background and service offer reasons to be interested in what kind of leadership he might bring to the papacy. But being a good man and being the leader capable of transforming a deeply entrenched institution are two very different things. Is Leo XIV the pope who will reform the Church and genuinely change hearts and minds? Perhaps. It is simply too early to know.
What I hope to see is change that extends beyond carefully worded statements and gestures of goodwill. Women deserve greater equality within the Church, and victims of abuse deserve decisive action, meaningful support, and accountability that reaches the highest levels of the institution. The Vatican must be willing to open its archives, confront uncomfortable truths, and speak honestly about its own history. Reform cannot mean protecting the institution’s reputation at the expense of the people it has harmed.
Ultimately, American Pope is a worthwhile read for anyone looking for an introduction to Leo XIV and the path that led him to the Vatican. It provides a helpful starting point, even if I wanted a more searching examination of the man himself and the institution he now represents. I finished the book with my curiosity intact and, perhaps, even more questions than I began with.
I want to believe that meaningful change is possible. The Catholic Church has shaped the world for centuries, for better and for worse, and its influence makes the question of its future impossible to dismiss. I hope Leo XIV proves willing to confront the Church’s past rather than merely inherit it. Whether he will become a reformer who brings lasting change remains to be seen. For now, I am cautiously hopeful, but hope must eventually be measured against action.
Burke and Detrow offer an accessible introduction to the life and rise of Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV. The book traces his journey from the South Side of Chicago to the Vatican, exploring the experiences, relationships, and religious commitments that shaped the man who would become the first American pope. It provides a portrait of a figure whose life and ministry extend beyond the familiar image of an American churchman, following his path through religious service and his years of work in Peru before his eventual ascent through the Catholic hierarchy.
The account also places Leo’s election within the broader context of the papacy and the institution he now leads. Becoming pope is not simply a personal achievement; it means inheriting centuries of tradition, political influence, spiritual authority, and institutional baggage. The book offers readers a glimpse into the workings of the Vatican and the circumstances surrounding Leo’s emergence as a global religious leader. For anyone unfamiliar with the inner workings of the Catholic Church, its leadership, or the significance of this particular transition, there is plenty here to establish the necessary background.
As a biography, the book is perfectly serviceable. Burke and Detrow make Leo’s story approachable, and their reporting provides a useful foundation for understanding the experiences that brought him to the papacy. I appreciated having the opportunity to learn more about his background and the work he undertook before becoming pope. There is something genuinely compelling about following a person from an ordinary American upbringing into a position that carries such extraordinary spiritual and political responsibility.
However, I found myself wishing the authors had interrogated their subject more deeply. A biography of a pope should be more than a chronicle of the events that brought him to power, particularly when that individual now leads an institution with so much to answer for.
One detail that particularly struck me was the mention of the nuns at Roberts School beating the children in their care. This was not an abstract historical detail for me. My own parents experienced similar treatment while growing up in Catholic environments, and reading about it immediately made the subject feel personal. Yet I wanted more. What does Leo make of these experiences? How does he understand the harm inflicted on children under the authority of religious institutions? Does he see these practices as isolated failures of the past, or as part of a broader culture in which unquestioned authority too often went hand in hand with cruelty?
These are precisely the kinds of questions I wish the book had pursued. The mention of such treatment opens a door into a much larger conversation, but I was left wanting the authors to walk through it. I wanted more examination of Leo’s own perspective on the Church’s failings, rather than simply an account of the circumstances that shaped him.
And the questions do not end with the treatment of children in Catholic schools. The Catholic Church has an enormous amount to apologize for, most urgently its widespread sexual abuse scandals and the institutional failures that allowed victims to suffer while perpetrators and those who protected them escaped meaningful accountability. Any serious discussion of the Church’s future must reckon with this history. Good intentions, personal piety, and charitable work cannot substitute for transparency, justice, and meaningful reform.
I have no doubt that Leo is a man who has done good work in the name of his God. His background and service offer reasons to be interested in what kind of leadership he might bring to the papacy. But being a good man and being the leader capable of transforming a deeply entrenched institution are two very different things. Is Leo XIV the pope who will reform the Church and genuinely change hearts and minds? Perhaps. It is simply too early to know.
What I hope to see is change that extends beyond carefully worded statements and gestures of goodwill. Women deserve greater equality within the Church, and victims of abuse deserve decisive action, meaningful support, and accountability that reaches the highest levels of the institution. The Vatican must be willing to open its archives, confront uncomfortable truths, and speak honestly about its own history. Reform cannot mean protecting the institution’s reputation at the expense of the people it has harmed.
Ultimately, American Pope is a worthwhile read for anyone looking for an introduction to Leo XIV and the path that led him to the Vatican. It provides a helpful starting point, even if I wanted a more searching examination of the man himself and the institution he now represents. I finished the book with my curiosity intact and, perhaps, even more questions than I began with.
I want to believe that meaningful change is possible. The Catholic Church has shaped the world for centuries, for better and for worse, and its influence makes the question of its future impossible to dismiss. I hope Leo XIV proves willing to confront the Church’s past rather than merely inherit it. Whether he will become a reformer who brings lasting change remains to be seen. For now, I am cautiously hopeful, but hope must eventually be measured against action.
October 18, 2026
This is less a biography of Robert Prevost than a history of the institutions through which he moved. I suppose that's inevitable for a quiet, head-down guy in the pre-internet days. The parts that do get close to him are well done. This man clearly ordered his life around the Church's "preferential option for the poor." By the time of his election, he had literally none of the qualities that our culture prizes--no celebrity, no desire to dominate, no absolutism of thought. I think this helps to explain why he is outflanking all the other voices in the world, especially on anthropological matters like AI. Some people may point to his intellectual inheritance, traced here (and on display in Dilexi te and Magnifica Humanitas). Without denying that he had a world-class eduction, I think it really is this simple: For seventy years, he made it his mission to "draw near." This is such a welcome change from Trump/Vance ("fuck the poor") but also from those leftists whose values are wholly determined by the market or who reduce the poor to a sociological category.
October 22, 2026
Great. An overview of the important stages of Prevost's life. While there are personal anecdotes and insights into his character and the challenges he faces as a student, young missionary, leader of the Augustinians, bishop in Peru, Vatican minister and ultimately confidant of the pope, the authors focus more on fleshing out each of the environments he inhabits. It's more social history than anything else.
Of course, we hear about the choices he makes and his impact on others, but this isn't a detailed character study. If you're interested in the progressive atmosphere at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in the '60s and '70s and the dangers of being a Catholic priest in '80s and '90s Peru, this is the book for you.
Of course, we hear about the choices he makes and his impact on others, but this isn't a detailed character study. If you're interested in the progressive atmosphere at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in the '60s and '70s and the dangers of being a Catholic priest in '80s and '90s Peru, this is the book for you.
Did Not Finish
September 21, 2026This book was basically a history of the Catholic church and culture in 20th century America. While interesting, Bob Prevost (a.k.a Pope Leo ) was hardly in it, despite this being his biography. We get detailed accounts of the schools he went to, his teachers, his classes, his classmates, various activities, Vatican II (sweeping changes in the church) lots about Villanova University (again, classes, clubs, professors, etc.) but nothing about Bob. Bob shows up at Villanova in the 1970's. He studies math. He dresses as Groucho Marx for a Halloween party. That's about it.
I got fed up. I skipped to the end where he's elected pope then I put the book down. Sorry Bob :/
I got fed up. I skipped to the end where he's elected pope then I put the book down. Sorry Bob :/
November 2, 2026
A detailed but very readable and inspiring account of Pope Leo XIV's life from the Chicago area to the head of the Catholic Church. The dedication the Pope displayed in his education, missionary work and as he moved through his vocation is clearly displayed. He's the real deal, especially shown through his time in Peru living through floods, violent unrest, a migrant crisis and ministering to the poor. The final chapter which details the Conclave that elected him is very moving, but really his life story to this point has been that as well, just without the pomp and circumstance and world recognition.
October 25, 2026
I saw an interview with NPR reporters Detrow and Burke, that made me want to read this. They interviewed hundreds of people and got a lot of good tidbits. I was also very interested to learn more about Robert Prevost's time in Latin America, and how that influenced his worldview. What can I say? I may not be the best Catholic anymore, but at this time in history, I am grateful to have a Pope who speaks out to defend migrants and other marginalized people.
October 25, 2026
I read the beginning of this book because I have been intrigued by Pope Leo's ancestry. His maternal grandparents from Louisiana were considered Creole, mulatto. By the time they made it to Chicago, they were white. I love this story. Prevost is just a made-up name. Leo's mother was very religious. She raised a priest.
October 25, 2026
Might be biased bc that’s My Guy but I loved this. Couldn’t put it down. I just love learning about him and his call to the church and how he has changed so many lives. He is truly one of the greats.
November 3, 2026
more of history of church and brief on Pope's life.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews