New Pope Leo XIV: The 267th Pope with a Surprising Academic Background Sparks Internet Buzz
Robert Francis Prevost has become the 267th person to assume the papal office, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.
The choice of a papal name carries deep significance, often reflecting the spirit, vision, and direction the new pope hopes to embody. According to Dennis Doyle, a theologian and professor emeritus at the University of Dayton, “The first thing you would search for is which popes previously bore that name, as it indicates something about the pope’s desired course.”
Pope Leo XIV began his address as head of the Catholic Church with the traditional greeting: “Peace be with you.” He continued, saying:
“Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who died for God’s sheep. Like you, I hope this message of peace will find its way into your hearts, reach your families, and touch everyone, wherever they may be. Peace be with you all.”
He emphasized the importance of peace as a gift from God—a reflection of Christ’s disarming, modest, and peace-preserving love for humanity. The voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome and the world on Easter morning, remains a powerful inspiration. Despite his weaknesses, Pope Francis has always demonstrated courage.
Pope Leo XIV shares many of Pope Francis’ views, especially on pressing issues facing the church today. Like Francis, he is outspoken about the threats climate change poses to humanity and advocates for the marginalized and disenfranchised.
Prior to his papal election, Leo spoke at a seminar in Rome about the environmental crisis, highlighting his concern for the planet. He previously served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Notably, Pope Leo is the first American pope, born in Chicago. “The United States is where I was born. However, my grandparents were immigrants—Spanish, French, and others. Both of my parents were deeply involved in their parish, so I grew up in a very Catholic home,” he shared. Interestingly, he is also a citizen of Peru.
One of the most surprising revelations about Pope Leo XIV is his academic degree. Contrary to many assumptions, it is not in theology. In fact, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1977. The news of his degree has caused a stir online, with many expressing surprise at his academic background.
The widespread reaction was evident on social media. For example, a user on X (formerly Twitter) joked, “The Pope is a math major, so he not only believes that Jesus multiplied bread and fish but knows exactly how he did it,” referencing a report by the Daily Mail.
Others commented humorously: “The new Pope is from Chicago and has a math degree—shows you can succeed even if you don’t ace the first interview,” or “Math majors: potential careers include quant, programmer, grad student… or pope.” Some simply exclaimed, “HE’S A MATH MAJOR???” while another remarked, “I just learned that the new pope studied math in undergrad—guessing it’s a sign of how tough the job market is for technical roles right now.”
In his first public appearance from the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica balcony, Pope Leo XIV issued a call for peace, urging unity and hope among the faithful.
