Southern Illinois News

Mike Bost, representative for Illinois' 12th Congressional District, said that the selection of Illinois native Cardinal Robert Prevost as the 267th pope by the College of Cardinals was "truly a historic moment."

"The College of Cardinals has elected the next pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost," said Bost, U.S. Representative, according to Facebook. "He will be known as Leo XIV, and is the FIRST American pope and a native of Illinois. What a truly historic moment."

Robert Prevost, originally from Chicago, was appointed as the 267th pope on May 8 and is now known as Pope Leo XIV. According to the Washington Post, although born in Chicago, Prevost is recognized for his extensive service in Peru and his leadership in overseeing the vetting process for bishops. He previously led the Order of St. Augustine and was twice elected to this position. In 2022, he presided over significant reforms within the Catholic Church, which included adding three women to the voting bloc responsible for selecting bishop nominations to present to the pope. Prevost's early life on Chicago’s South Side included serving as an altar boy and attending parish school and seminary high school. He pursued higher education at Villanova University in 1977 and later earned a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome before moving to Peru as a missionary and parish priest.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep Mike Bost's May 8 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's Facebook page

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Prevost was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023. Born at Mercy Hospital at 25th Street and Prairie Avenue, he grew up in Dolton, Illinois, with his older brothers. His mission work took him to Peru in 1985 before returning to Chicago in 1999. In 2001, he relocated to Rome where he led the Augustinian Order until 2013 before returning to Peru where he became a bishop in 2014.

Prior to his elevation as Pope, The National Catholic Reporter indicated that Prevost had been considered one of the leading candidates during the Conclave due to his unique blend of pastoral experience and expertise in navigating church governance complexities.

Bost has served as representative for Illinois’ 12th District since January 6, 2015. With two decades of experience in the Illinois State House of Representatives where he held the position of House Republican Caucus Chair, Bost is a lifelong resident of Murphysboro and former U.S. Marine Corps member from 1979-1982. He worked for Bost Trucking Service for 24 years before joining the Murphysboro Fire Department after graduating from the University of Illinois’ Certified Firefighter II Academy in 1993.