CHICAGO — In a modest corner of the American Midwest, far from the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica, John Prevost is still answering the phone.
Since the announcement that his brother had been elected the new Pope—taking the name Leo XIV—the calls, texts and interview requests have not stopped. “To be honest, there hasn’t been a chance to think about it,” Prevost told ABC News in an exclusive conversation. “It’s been constant phone calls, emails, messages, interviews. So, I don’t think it’s really sunk in. It’s kind of surreal.”
Prevost, speaking from his home in Chicago, described a wave of emotion and disbelief as news broke of his younger sibling’s elevation to the papacy. Leo XIV, born Gabriel Prevost, is the first pontiff in modern history with deep roots in both North America and Latin America, a dual identity that resonates profoundly with younger Catholics across the Global South.
“This is an awesome thing,” John Prevost said, pausing at times, as if still trying to map the scale of the moment. “Not only is he the first pope from our part of the world, but he brings a kind of lived experience that feels more connected to ordinary people. There’s great pride. But also—it’s overwhelming.”
A Quiet Figure, Now Centre Stage
For those who knew Cardinal Gabriel Prevost before the white smoke billowed over the Vatican, he was a reserved intellectual, more at ease in community kitchens than conference halls. While his brother declined to speculate on what kind of leader Pope Leo XIV will be, he hinted at the Pope’s long-standing concern for “those on the margins,” shaped by years working among migrant communities and the urban poor.
“He listens,” John said. “Really listens. I think people are going to see that.”
Leo XIV’s election comes at a moment of considerable strain for the Catholic Church: declining congregations in Europe, a reckoning with abuse scandals, and widening generational rifts on issues ranging from gender to governance. Young Catholics in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia represent the Church’s demographic future, yet often feel disconnected from the power centres of Rome.
The elevation of a Pope with family ties in Chicago and missionary experience across the Americas may signal a subtle but significant pivot. Analysts suggest the College of Cardinals, increasingly shaped by appointments from the Global South, is reasserting its influence—redefining what the Church prioritises and whom it speaks for.
The Weight of Symbolism
In Nairobi, 29-year-old theology student Miriam Owino called the news “a sign that our stories are finally part of the centre.” Like many of her peers, she hopes Leo XIV will open deeper dialogue on poverty, climate justice, and youth engagement—areas where his past work has drawn praise.
But some in more conservative quarters remain cautious. Vatican observers point to Pope Leo XIV’s nuanced record: progressive in social outreach, measured in doctrine, and largely untested in global diplomacy. “The excitement is real,” said Paul Kinyua, a lecturer in religious studies at the University of Nairobi. “But the challenge will be translating moral clarity into institutional courage.”
A Family Watching History
Back in Chicago, John Prevost says the family has received messages from as far as Nairobi, Buenos Aires and Manila. “It’s amazing, but we’re also just trying to process all of it. We’re still a family, watching someone we love take on something impossibly big.”
Asked what he would say to his brother if given a quiet moment, Prevost didn’t hesitate. “Stay grounded. Keep listening. You’ve always known how.”
The days ahead will be heavy with ceremony and expectation. But for millions, particularly in the Global South, Pope Leo XIV’s ascent is more than pageantry. It’s a possibility—the idea that leadership might finally look and sound a bit more like them.
As one brother put it: “It’s surreal.” But for the Church, and for a watching world, it may also be the beginning of something real.
