Description

The definitive biography of Pope Leo XIV, featuring an exclusive first interview with the new leader of the Catholic Church, written by one of the world’s most respected Vatican correspondents.

‘Extraordinary… a masterful and amazingly intimate portrait of our new pope’ AUSTEN IVEREIGH, biographer of Pope Francis

In May 2025, as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the world watched with great anticipation for the new pope to emerge on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. A ‘dark horse candidate’, as the media came to call him, and the first American to be elected: Robert Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV. But who is the new pope?

In this detailed and intimate biography, Elise Ann Allen, respected Vatican correspondent in Rome for Crux, offers an exclusive insight into the new pontiff’s life story and includes his own perspective throughout.

From his childhood in Chicago and his early vocation as an Augustinian to his years as a missionary in Peru and his key role in the Vatican as head of the bishops, Allen reveals the experiences that forged his character, established him as a spiritual leader, and that are sure to inform his future actions as the Holy Father on this troubled world stage.

Including stories and reflections from Pope Leo himself, as well as those who knew him personally throughout the years, this biography is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the leader of the Catholic Church today – his priorities, convictions and vision for the future.

Publisher Review

An extraordinary achievement . . . Elise Ann Allen has given us a masterful and amazingly intimate portrait of our new pope, the result of exhaustive research and dozens of field interviews, including one with the pope himself. * AUSTEN IVEREIGH, biographer of Pope Francis * The most vivid portrait yet of the pope. * CHRISTOPHER HALE, co-founder of Millennial and former senior fellow of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good * Allen, with the necessary detachment of an outside observer, manages to discern the glimmers of hope we so often fail to see, sculpting the silhouette of a pontiff convinced of the mission of a Church committed to healing. Leo XIV knows that darkness endures but also acknowledges the stubbornness of light. * GONZALO BANDA, University College London Institute of the Americas *