1975 – A man made a rare decision: he turned down Harvard Law School to serve the poorest villages of Peru. Now, he is the 267th Pope.

The untold story of the newly elected Pope, Robert Prevost.

In 1975, Robert Prevost was at his peak. A mathematics teacher in Chicago. Accepted into Harvard Law School. A devout Catholic. He had everything a young man could dream of — but then he made a decision no one expected. He said No to Harvard. No to a six-figure future. No to fame. No to comfort. And Yes to something few dare to choose: a life of complete devotion. He joined a missionary group and moved to Peru. Not to the cities. Not to the tourist spots. But to the most remote villages, where children die of treatable diseases, and families walk for miles just for clean water. There were no roads. No running water. No Wi-Fi. Only mountains, silence, and poverty. But he embraced it as if it were home.

Robert didn’t just live among the people — he became one of them.
• He learned Quechua, the sacred language of the Incas
• Carried food on foot for days
• Slept on earthen floors alongside the villagers
• Prayed beneath the stars.

When he wasn’t building shelters, he taught mathematics to barefoot children under broken roofs. When he wasn’t teaching, he transported the sick by donkey to seek help. When he wasn’t healing, he listened — truly listened — to stories no one else cared to hear.

While his friends back home became lawyers and doctors, he became something entirely different:
A shepherd.
A brother.
A quiet warrior of faith.

And slowly, his legend grew. His deeds weren’t broadcast. But they echoed through the Andes. Bishops took notice. Priests took notice. And, eventually, so did the Vatican.

They called him back to lead his entire Augustinian order. From serving a single village to overseeing 2,800 brothers in more than 40 countries.
Still, he wore the same sandals.
Still, he walked with the poor.
Still, he refused luxury.

Then came the call that changed everything. Rome wanted him closer. In 2020, he was appointed Archbishop and tasked with overseeing bishops globally. It was rare. But Robert never followed tradition for tradition’s sake. He wasn’t just fluent in Latin or Canon Law. He was fluent in compassion.
In humility.
In listening.
In presence.

The Vatican didn’t just see a priest — they saw a leader with soul. On 30 September 2023, Pope Francis made it official: Robert Prevost was named Cardinal — just one step below the Pope. And then, in 2025, history was made: for the first time, an American, a former maths teacher, a missionary to the forgotten… was elevated to Pope of the Catholic Church!

The world is obsessed with power. But the new Pope proves:
• Titles mean nothing without service
• Knowledge is useless without love
• Faith without sacrifice is just noise
• Leadership is about presence, not position

He rejected the world. And changed it.

Let us welcome Pope Leo XIV! 

Mario Parrot