Dolton-born Pope Leo XIV: A Chicago-rooted papacy
TL;DR
Chicago-born Robert Prevost, elected Pope Leo XIV in 2025, grew up in Dolton amid a reshaping Chicago and a shrinking, more diverse Catholic Church. His blue-collar roots, pre-Vatican II upbringing, multilingual abilities, and exposure to racial tensions in the city influence his world-facing leadership as the Church adapts to demographic change.
- The future Pope Leo XIV grew up amid a changing Chicago National Catholic Reporter
- A year into papacy, Leo finds his 'clarion voice' Reuters
- Sister theologians on abuse, accountability, reform and hope in Leo's pontificate Global Sisters Report
- Themes of peace and human dignity have been central to Pope Leo as he marks his first year in office The Conversation
- Pray for the pope, and bagels as the basis culture The Pillar
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