Pope Leo XIV, Elise Ann Allen
Pope Leo XIV, Elise Ann Allen
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Pope Leo XIV
The Biography

Author: Elise Ann Allen

Narrator: Janelle Tedesco

Unabridged: 9 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/28/2026


Synopsis

A deeply personal biography of Pope Leo XIV, featuring his first-ever public interview as pope, from Elise Ann Allen, journalist and Rome correspondent for Crux.

“An extraordinary achievement . . . a masterful and amazingly intimate portrait of our new pope.”—Austen Ivereigh, biographer of Pope Francis

On May 8, 2025, the whole world watched with great anticipation as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, and the new pope who emerged to greet us from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica was a surprise to all. He was a man no one expected, a “dark horse candidate,” as the media came to call him, and the first-ever American to be elected—Robert Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV.

But why him? What did the other cardinals see in Robert Prevost? Who is Leo XIV? How did his path lead him to the Holy See, and what can we expect from him?

Elise Ann Allen offers here the only biography of Pope Leo XIV, featuring the Holy Father’s very first interview after his election. She gives readers an intimate and detailed account of the life of Robert Prevost, from his birth in Chicago and his first years as a priest in the Augustinian order to his years as a missionary in Peru and the vital role he came to play in the Vatican as head of bishops. The result is an inspiring picture of a man of profound character, spiritual leadership, integrity, warmth, and citizenship in the world.

This biography is replete with revealing stories and reflections from those who know Leo XIV personally, details of his pastoral ministry over the years, and analysis of his global perspective as a dual citizen of the United States and Peru.

Pope Leo XIV is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the Church’s pastor—his priorities, convictions, and vision for the future of faith.

About The Author

Elise Ann Allen is a correspondent in Rome for the specialized media outlet Crux. Before joining Crux, Elise worked with Catholic News Agency, first as a multi-media and content management assistant in Denver. She holds a degree in Philosophy and Communications from the University of Northern Colorado.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Sean on May 16, 2026

Decent early and laudatory but uncritical biography of Leo 14. The author has known and obviously has admired Robert Prevost for some time. She adequately relates his life story but overlooks or minimizes any failings. A particularly egregious point is when Prevost as bishop signed off on a supervis......more

Goodreads review by Dave on March 08, 2026

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest evaluation of its merits. If you are looking for an exhaustive biography of the new pontiff, complete with extended interviews with Prevost/Leo XIV himself, his brothers and and many people in his liturgical life, this is the book......more

Goodreads review by Gina on April 26, 2026

I've read a few biographies and books about Pope Leo by now. This is the most substantive one by far. Allen has really done her research. The book not only features her in-depth interviews with the pope himself, but also with multiple people who have known and worked with him over the years, in Chic......more

Goodreads review by Marina on May 04, 2026

Elise is a powerful writer with a clear closeness and affection for the Holy Father. The book is a quick read - due mostly to Elise’s engaging journalistic style - but it is absolutely chock full of stories, insights, and personal reflections from Pope Leo and friends. I know a fair bit about the Ho......more

Goodreads review by Jessica on April 18, 2026

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. Though I am not religious now I did go to church as a kid and my grandmother was Roman Catholic. So I have always been interested in the Pope as a person and find the process of picking a new Pope quite i......more


Quotes

“An extraordinary achievement . . . Elise Ann Allen has given us a masterful and amazingly intimate portrait of our new pope, the result of exhaustive research and dozens of field interviews, including one with the pope himself.”—Austen Ivereigh, biographer of Pope Francis

“The most vivid portrait yet of the pope.”—Christopher Hale, co-founder of Millennial and former senior fellow of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good

“Allen, with the necessary detachment of an outside observer, manages to discern the glimmers of hope we so often fail to see, sculpting the silhouette of a pontiff convinced of the mission of a Church committed to healing. Leo XIV knows that darkness endures but also acknowledges the stubbornness of light.”—Gonzalo Banda, University College London Institute of the Americas