A Brother's Perspective: 20 Insights into Pope Leo XIV's First 100 Days
The world has watched with fascination as Chicago's own, the first-ever American pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, has completed his first 100 days in the Vatican. His selection has brought immense excitement to the city and the global Catholic Church. While the world sees the Pope, his family sees the brother, the son, and the man they've always known.
In an exclusive interview with Maryanne Ahern, the Pope's brother, John Prevost, 70-year-old retired high school principal revealed intimate reflections on this historic time. Here are 20 key takeaways from their conversation.
The Man and His Papacy
A Natural Fit: According to his brother John, Pope Leo seems "perfectly at ease" and "natural" in his new role, even appearing to be enjoying the immense responsibility.
Immediate Global Favor: In his first 100 days, Pope Leo XIV has already become the most favorable world leader in a new Gallup poll.
Taking it Seriously: Despite his joyful demeanor, John emphasizes that his brother is taking the role very seriously. "This is quite a burden on his shoulders and he's praying for the world."
Confidence in the Future: John, a retired Catholic school principal, has no doubts about the direction of the Church, stating definitively, "I definitely think the church is in good hands."
Signs of What Was to Come
A "Long Shot" Candidate: While Pope Leo (then Cardinal Prevost) was considered a long shot for the papacy, his brother notes there were subtle signs of his potential.
A Signal from Pope Francis: Just before his death, Pope Francis elevated him to the title of Cardinal Bishop, a move John now sees as a signal. "He's signaling something here," John remarked.Named First Among Cardinals: Another sign came less than two years ago when he was elevated to become a cardinal. Pope Francis called his name first, out of alphabetical order. His brother was “very close” to Pope Francis. “He was close with Francis. Very close. They were very good friends,” Prevost said.
A Close Friendship: These signs indicated to the family that he was very close with his predecessor. John confirmed, "They were very good friends."
Chicago Roots and Global Experience
Deep Chicago Ties: The Pope was raised in Dalton on Chicago's South Side. He entered the seminary at just 14 years old and later returned to the city for post-graduate degrees.
Incredible Local Support: The city's enthusiasm was on full display when thousands gathered at Guaranteed Rate Field in June to celebrate their native son.
A Life of Service in Peru: His worldview is shaped by extensive international experience. He spent one-third of his life in Peru, first as a missionary and later as a bishop.
An Augustinian Brother: Pope Leo is a member of the Augustinian religious order, a connection that makes his fellow Augustinians, like Father Ray Flores, incredibly proud.
Family Reflections
A Whirlwind for the Family: John Prevost describes the experience as a "whirlwind," revealing he traveled to Rome immediately after his brother was chosen.
Humble Beginnings: John believes their parents, if they were still alive, would have been incredibly proud but also very humble. "I don't think you'd see my mom saying, 'Well, my son's the pope.' I don't think that would happen." John Prevost revealed the pope's favorite candy: “Peeps.” “That’s his favorite candy on Earth.”
The Middle Child: The Pope is the youngest of the three Prevost sons. John, who is one year older, is the middle child.
A Brother's Humor: John jokes about their birth order: "The oldest is an experiment. The youngest gets spoiled. The middle comes out right." For instance they were not allowed to go out trick-or-treating on Halloween as children. “My mom thought it was begging,” Prevost said.
Inspiring a New Generation
Palpable Enthusiasm: The excitement surrounding his papacy is tangible, evidenced by the estimated 1 million young people who attended the Jubilee for Youth in Rome this summer.
A Message of Hope: His message to the youth was powerful and direct: "You're the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and that you can be a sign that's different to the world."
Inspiring Others to Serve: Father Ray Flores noted that the Pope’s example encourages everyday people to think about how they "may be able to do something with our own lives to serve others."
More to Come: The interview concluded with a teaser, promising to reveal more personal details, including how often the brothers speak and a big request John has for his brother, the Pope.
20 Ways The Papacy has Personally Impacted the Pope's Brother
Instant Fame by Association: The Pope's election instantly thrust his once-private brother, John, into the public spotlight, leading to a "non-stop" adjustment in his suburban life.
Constant Public Recognition: Due to a strong family resemblance, John is now recognized everywhere he goes, losing his previous anonymity.
A Double-Edged Sword: John describes his new reality as having "some of it good, some of it kind of sad," highlighting the complex emotional toll of his brother's position.
Practical Life Changes: The newfound attention has forced practical changes, such as screening all phone calls and being more conscious of his public behavior.
A Channel for Hope and Sorrow
A Conduit for the Desperate 🙏: John has become an unofficial intermediary for the hopeful and heartbroken, receiving daily letters from people asking for the Pope's prayers for their suffering loved ones.
The Emotional Weight of Hope: He finds these pleas for miracles to be the "sad part" of his new life, underscoring the heavy emotional burden he now carries.
An Unbreakable Brotherly Bond
Modern-Day Connection 📱: Despite the immense distance and responsibility, the brothers maintain their daily bond by playing online games like Wordle and Words with Friends.
A Glimpse into the Vatican: Their daily chats include John's simple, down-to-earth question: "Who did you meet famous?"—a way to connect with his brother's extraordinary new life.
A Darkly Humorous Promise: Their closeness is evident in their humor. When asked if the Pope would return for his funeral, the Pope joked he would, even if it meant they'd have to "keep the body on ice for a while."
Reassurance from the Top: John specifically asked about the funeral because of rumors the Pope could never return for such an event, and he received direct reassurance that his brother would be there.
Chicago Roots Run Deep
The Ultimate Hometown Pride 🏙️: The Pope's identity is deeply intertwined with Chicago, and the city's affection for its native son is a powerful and recurring theme.
A Special Delivery of Pizza 🍕: A Chicago family's love was so evident they shipped the Pope's favorite Aurelio's pizza to Rome on dry ice.
A Humble Thank You Call: In a remarkable gesture, the Pope and his brother personally called the family to thank them for the pizza, creating a surreal and unforgettable moment.
Anticipation for a Papal Visit: There is immense hope and speculation in Chicago about when their hometown hero might make an official visit.
Surprising Discoveries and Papal Character
Uncovering Hidden Heritage: The intense media scrutiny of the family led to a genealogical discovery: the family has Creole roots that they were completely unaware of.
A True "Pope of the People": This discovery of a more diverse heritage reinforces the public image of him as an everyman and a "pope of the people."
Grounded in Humility: The Pope's decision to personally call a family over a pizza delivery showcases a deep sense of humility and gratitude.
The Pope as the Younger Brother: The interview notes that John is just one year older than his brother, Robert (now Pope Leo XIV).
Approaching a Milestone: The Pope is set to celebrate his 70th birthday, a major personal milestone in his first year in the Vatican.
The Brother as the Bridge: John acts as a key link between the Pope and his past, grounding him and connecting him to the home he left behind.
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