Pope Leo XIV Surprises Many With Math Degree and American Roots
Cardinal Robert Prevost made history last week by becoming Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in the Catholic Church’s history. Born in Chicago in 1955, the 69-year-old was officially named pope on May 8, succeeding Pope Francis.
Before rising through the church’s ranks, Leo XIV earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University—a detail that’s shocked many who expected a theology background. He also studied philosophy and spent years as a missionary and bishop in Peru before being appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis.
Social media users were quick to joke about the pope’s unexpected academic background, with quips like:
“He doesn’t just understand sin—he understands cos.”
While he won’t receive a formal salary, Pope Leo XIV will be afforded the traditional benefits of his position. His election signals a shift in tone and geography for the Catholic Church—and plenty of curiosity about what comes next.
