onsidered a highly capable and experienced leader, he serves in the vital role as leader of the powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments, assessing candidates and making recommendations to the pope. Born in Chicago, he is a member of the Augustinian religious order – of which he went on to lead as global superior – and spent many years working in Peru. He was later Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, before being chosen by Francis to lead the Vatican’s bishop office. While it is often said cardinal electors would always shy away from choosing a pope from the US due to America’s global political influence, Prevost’s long experience in Peru may help mitigate that.