THE DEFINITIVE BIOGRAPHY OF THE FIRST AMERICAN POPEThe Life, Teachings, Rise and Leadership Qualities of Pope Leo XIV.Kengors deep understanding of both Catholicism and America make him the right scholar to introduce Americans to a deeper understanding of the first American Pontiff.HON. NEWT GINGRICHFromNew York Timesbestselling author and noted Catholic historian Dr Paul Kengor: A portrait of Robert Francis Prevost, his background and life, theological beliefs and teachings, relationship with his predecessors and fellow cardinals and clergy, and surprising rise to become the 267th elected Pontiff and first American Pope, and the challenges he will face and how he is likely to lead the Catholic Church, including interviews with Catholic and papal experts.In this first major biography of the new American pontiff, Editor ofThe American Spectator, chief academic fellow at the Institute for Faith & Freedom, professor of political science at Grove City College, historian andNew York Timesbestselling author of over twenty books, includingA Pope and a President,The Divine Plan, andGod and Ronald Reagan, Dr Paul Kengor delivers an engaging and gripping deep dive into the life and times of Robert Francis Prevost, whose election to the Chair of St. Peter on May 8, 2025, stunned the world. There had never been an American pope, and until this book, there has not been an in-depth examination of the new American pontiff and his extraordinary election. Professor Kengor takes readers on a spiritual sojourn from the very first pope, Peter, through the Medieval popes, through the turbulence of the Francis years, and through todays pope and the figures who influenced him, from St. Augustine to Pope Leo XIII. He shows how this so-called least American American among the cardinals is actually quintessentially American, and yet also, remarkably, is quintessentially universalideally so for the head of the universal Roman Catholic Church.In this definitive biography, Dr. Kengor provides fascinating information on Prevosts sudden rise from priest to bishop to cardinal and the inside story on how the vote went down in the Conclave, leading to the highly unexpected and yet overwhelming choice of Prevost on the fourth ballot. Kengor also provides a detailed treatment of the very revealing opening 40 days of Leo XIVs pontificate and offers unique insights into where the world might expect the pope to proceed hereafter. The popes first word from the Loggia was peace, and he has committed himself to a mission of peace and unity for the Church and the wider world.If you want to get to know this mystery man who became popewho became the first American pontiffthis is the book, a must-read for every Catholic and for non-Catholics as well.
