The Catholic Church just made history with the election of Pope Leo XIV. He is not just the first American pope. He is also full of surprises. Behind the solemn robes and quiet smile is a man with a resume that breaks the mold.

Let’s get into five things you probably didn’t know about the new pope.

The New Pope Is a Dual Citizen

The pope was born in Chicago, but he is not your typical American. He also holds Peruvian citizenship and spent decades living in Peru. That is where he served as a missionary, rose to archbishop, and gained the trust of local communities.

Vatican News / IG / The successor of Pope Francis, Leo XIV, holds American and Peruvian citizenship.

That dual identity helped him break a long-standing Vatican rule. For years, the idea of an American pope was off-limits. The Church feared it would give the U.S. too much sway. But Leo XIV sidestepped that, thanks to his deep roots in Latin America and global experience.

He Used to Be a Math Major

Yes, the pope studied mathematics. Before the collar and cassock, he earned a degree in math from Villanova University. You won’t see him solving equations at the altar, but that background shapes how he thinks: precise, logical, and detail-oriented.

His love for numbers didn’t just fade away. Those skills show in how he handled the Church’s structure, reforms, and leadership. It is rare to see a religious leader with a mind built for formulas and facts, but Leo XIV blends faith and function with ease.

He Led a 13th-Century Religious Order Twice

Before stepping into the Vatican spotlight, the pope ran the Augustinian order—not once, but twice. This is the same order founded in the 1200s by St. Augustine. Leading it means serious spiritual and organizational responsibility.

Why does that matter? Because the role is about guiding people, solving problems, and keeping ancient traditions alive in a modern world. It is where he learned to lead without fanfare, and it is one reason he was on Francis’ radar for years.

Pope Leo XIV Quietly Helped Push Major Reforms

Vatican News / IG / The new Pope knows when to speak up and when to act without a spotlight.

The pope may have kept a low profile in Rome, but behind the scenes, he was helping change the Church. One of the biggest reforms? Helping Pope Francis bring women into the bishop nomination process. Something that had never been done before.

It wasn’t flashy, but it was huge. The move sent shockwaves through the Catholic hierarchy. And Leo XIV was at the heart of it, showing he is not afraid of progress, even if it ruffles feathers.

Picked for One of the Church’s Most Powerful Jobs

Before becoming pope, Leo XIV led the Dicastery for Bishops, the Vatican office that selects future bishops worldwide. This is one of the highest-ranking positions in the Catholic Church, and it gave him direct influence over the future of global leadership in the Church.

Only a handful of cardinals ever get that level of trust. Francis didn’t just hand him that power. He knew Leo XIV had the judgment and calm to use it wisely. That appointment made him a major figure going into the conclave.

By early 2025, Francis promoted him to the highest rank of cardinal. That is as close as you can get to saying, “He is my guy.”

Sven Kramer

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