Portrait of the New Pope: Portrait of the New Pope

The smoke clears. The world watches. A name is announced. A man steps forward and the earth’s gaze falls upon him.

We have a Pope! And his name is Leo XIV.

But who is this 266th successor to St. Peter? What is the former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost’s vision for the Church, and what impact will his papacy have on Catholics and on the world?

Veteran Catholic journalist and historian Matthew Bunson offers the first authoritative portrait of the new Holy Father. With unmatched access, deep sources in Rome, and a reputation for integrity and insight, Bunson delivers a compelling, richly textured narrative of the new pope’s life, beliefs, and improbable journey to the Chair of St. Peter.

In this comprehensive and deeply satisfying account, you will discover:

• His birth at Mercy Hospital and early life in Dolton, just outside South Side Chicago
• His classic American Catholic upbringing, from the moment the legacy institutions began to decline
• Suburban Chicago as the quintessential microcosm of the Church in America
• The Augustinian intellectual heritage, and the sketches of the Augustinian saints in his pectoral cross
• Peru as a place of mission: its geography, culture, and the history of Catholicism in northwest South America
• Leo as a fully American pope shaped by both the U.S. and Latin AmericaCardinal Prevost’s Vatican career culminating in his appointment as prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops
• His relationship with Pope Francis, and early decisions that signal a desire to place himself within the Church’s tradition

Accessible, informative, and rooted in journalistic rigor and an intimate understanding of the Church, Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the man inside the white cassock--and the moment in which he will reign.

Edward Pentin is a seasoned journalist and Vatican analyst with decades of experience covering the Pope, the Holy See, and global Catholic affairs. He began his career at Vatican Radio, reporting on developments within the Vatican and the wider Church. Over the years, he has served as a Rome correspondent and contributed in-depth coverage and analysis for a variety of international media outlets. His reporting has appeared in publications such as,, The Catholic Herald, and The Holy Land Review, a Franciscan journal focused on the Church and the Middle East.Pentin is widely regarded for his insightful reporting and deep understanding of Church affairs particularly in his current role as the National Catholic Register’s Senior Contributor and EWTN News Vatican Analyst. He is also the co- founder of the College of Cardinals Report, a comprehensive and extensively researched resource to the College of Cardinals, equipping