A few days after making history like the first American Pope, Pope Leo XIV of Illinois is preparing for a meeting with his brothers in Rome, where his brother John Prevost will join him to celebrate this unprecedented moment for the Catholic Church and Chicago equally.
Pope Leo was chosen after the Papal Conclave 2025 on Thursday, with Dolton’s native becoming the first Pope born in the United States in the history of the Church.
The unexpected trip to Rome marks the fifth time Premost has traveled to the Italian capital. Two of those trips were with his brother, who is now the world leader of the Catholic Church.
Prevost told NBC Chicago that he informed his brother about the trip on a brief phone call.
“I told him we were going to come. He said: ‘Oh, it’s fine,” he said Prevost.
Prevost reflected on the pride linked to his brother’s historical achievement, while recognizing the challenges. He pointed out that his parents would be “happy and ecstatic” about the role of Pope Leo.
“That is the thing … look at the ‘first’ we are here. First of the United States, first of Chicago,” Premost said. “It’s a bit young.
As for his plans during the visit, Prevost said that much remains in the air.
“We are waiting to see, we are supposed to have lunch, we are supposed to go somewhere. We can travel with the Pope to a special place and we will resolve it. Because we are only here until Tuesday,” Prevost said.
Prevost said it does not plan to stay for the installation of Pope Leo.
