Pope
Archbishop Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops Archbishop Robert Francis Prevost was born on 14 September 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, United States of America. From the age of 18 to 22 years he studied at Villanova University, Pennsylvania. On 1 September of the same year, he entered the novitiate of the Order of San Agustín (O.S.A.). On 29 August 1981 he gave his religious vows. During the same years he studied at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, where he received a Master of Divinity (Theology), specializing in intercultural mission (1982). In 1987 he was awarded a doctorate in theology. In 1988 he was sent to the mission of Trujillo, in order to be the director of a common formation project for Augustinian aspirants of the vicariates of Chulucanas, Iquitos and Apurímac. There he served as prior of the community (1988-1992), director of formation (1988-1998) and teacher of the professed (1992-1998). In 1999 he returned to the United States, elected prior provincial of the “ Mother of Good Counsel ” province, Chicago. After two and a half years, the Ordinary General Chapter elected him prior general, a ministry the Order entrusted to him again in 2007. He was therefore responsible for the planning and management processes of the Augustinian Order around the world. Pope Francis appointed him apostolic administrator of the diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, on 3 November 2014, raising him to episcopal dignity as titular bishop of Sufar. On 7 November, he took canonical possession of the diocese. He was ordained bishop of Chiclayo on 12 December 2014. On 15 April 2020, the Pope appointed him apostolic administrator of the diocese of Callao. Since 2023 he has served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. ***.