Pope Leo ID ‘: « When he was a child he was playing the priest » – everything the young Pope’s brothers said
When the Robert Francis Prevosthe was in the first elementary school, his neighbor told him he would become the first American Pope, his brother told ABC News.
On Thursday, this prophecy came true when Prevost, a 69 -year -old cardinal, was elected the 267th Pontiff – and the first of the United States.
Before becoming Pope Leo Idi, Prevost grew up as the youngest of three brothers in the southern suburb of Chicago, Dolton.
The new Pope between his brothers. Source: ABC News
He always wanted to become a priest, said his older brother, John Prevost In ABC News outside his home in Illinois on Thursday.
His brother revealed what he told him before he started the conception
« He knew immediately. I don’t think he ever questioned it. I don’t think he ever thought of anything else, « he said
As a child, Pope Leo ID ‘was « playing the priest, » his brother said. « The ironing board was the Holy Bank, » he added.
The Pope is a fan of the White Sox (baseball team), his brother confirmed. « He’s an ordinary, ordinary person, » he said.
John said he talked to his brother on Tuesday, before the Cardinals enter the secret concussion and told his younger brother that he also believes he could become the first American Pope. At that time, his younger brother described it as « nonsense » saying, « They are not going to choose an American Pope. »
« He just didn’t believe it or didn’t want to believe it, » John Prevost said.
John Prevost said he expects his brother to follow in the footsteps of the late Pope Francis as a voice for the unjust and the poor.
« I think they were two of the same species, » he said. « I think that because they were both in South America at the same time – in Peru and in Argentina – they had the same experiences at work as missionaries and work with the oppressed. So I think this is the experience from which both come from. «
What does his big brother say
Luis Prevost, the older of the three brothers, was not feeling well and was lying in bed at his home in Florida when the big time came.
« My wife phoned me to tell me that there is white tobacco from the chapel, » he said.
Luis Prevost said he was coordinated on the live broadcast of the Vatican’s announcement.
« They started reading his name and when he said, ‘blah, blah, blah, blah, Roberto’, I immediately realized – that’s Rob, » he said. « I was grateful that I was still in bed lying, because I might have fallen down. »
Pope Leo Xiv’s Oldest Brother Reacts to his Brother Being Named Pope.
“He was always the holy one… we used to tease he, ‘You’re gonna be pope someday.’” pic.twitter.com/lh5yntt5l
– Catholicvote (@Catholicvote) May 9, 2025
Luis Prevost said he got up from bed and began to « dance ». « It’s just incredible, » he said. « Suddenly I woke up and feel great. »
He described his brother as « landing », someone who has a good sense of humor and is « clever ». He loved his work as a missionary in Peru and being with people, and through his work with the Vatican he has traveled all over the world, Luis said.
Luis Prevost said that his brother seemed to always know his inclination and that from 4 or 5 years old the family knew that he was intended for great things in the Catholic Church. When his brothers were playing police and robbers, he distributed the Divine Communion with wafers, he said.
« We were constantly teasing him – one day you will become a pope, » he said. « Neighbors were saying the same thing. Sixty-some years later, here we are, « he concluded.
