Elise Ann Allen – författare

The definitive biography of Pope Leo XIV, featuring an exclusive first interview with the new leader of the Catholic Church, written by one of the world's most respected Vatican correspondents.‘Extraordinary… a masterful and amazingly intimate portrait of our new pope’ AUSTEN IVEREIGH, biographer of Pope FrancisIn May 2025, as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the world watched with great anticipation for the new pope to emerge on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. A ‘dark horse candidate’, as the media came to call him, and the first American to be elected: Robert Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV. But who is the new pope?In this detailed and intimate biography, Elise Ann Allen, respected Vatican correspondent in Rome for Crux, offers an exclusive insight into the new pontiff’s life story and includes his own perspective throughout.From his childhood in Chicago and his early vocation as an Augustinian to his years as a missionary in Peru and his key role in the Vatican as head of the bishops, Allen reveals the experiences that forged his character, established him as a spiritual leader, and that are sure to inform his future actions as the Holy Father on this troubled world stage.Including stories and reflections from Pope Leo himself, as well as those who knew him personally throughout the years, this biography is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the leader of the Catholic Church today – his priorities, convictions and vision for the future.

The definitive biography of Pope Leo XIV, featuring an exclusive first interview with the new leader of the Catholic Church, written by one of the world's most respected Vatican correspondents.‘Extraordinary… a masterful and amazingly intimate portrait of our new pope’ AUSTEN IVEREIGH, biographer of Pope FrancisIn May 2025, as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the world watched with great anticipation for the new pope to emerge on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. A ‘dark horse candidate’, as the media came to call him, and the first American to be elected: Robert Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV. But who is the new pope?In this detailed and intimate biography, Elise Ann Allen, respected Vatican correspondent in Rome for Crux, offers an exclusive insight into the new pontiff’s life story and includes his own perspective throughout.From his childhood in Chicago and his early vocation as an Augustinian to his years as a missionary in Peru and his key role in the Vatican as head of the bishops, Allen reveals the experiences that forged his character, established him as a spiritual leader, and that are sure to inform his future actions as the Holy Father on this troubled world stage.Including stories and reflections from Pope Leo himself, as well as those who knew him personally throughout the years, this biography is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the leader of the Catholic Church today – his priorities, convictions and vision for the future.

Who is Robert Prevost, the man who is now Leo XIV?What personal traits led him to be chosen as pontiff at a time when the Catholic Church was debating whether to continue the legacy of Francis I or roll back the reforms advanced by him? How did he rise as pope in an overwhelmingly majority vote and what could it mean?Elise Ann Allen, correspondent in Rome for Crux, the prestigious website specialising in Vatican news, outlines a detailed and intimate profile of the new pope. From his childhood in Chicago and his early vocation as an Augustinian to his years as a missionary in Peru and his key role in the Vatican as head of the bishops, Allen reveals the experiences that forged his character and established him as a spiritual leader and citizen of the world.Including the first interview that Leo XIV officially granted as pope, this biography is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the new pope, his priorities, convictions and vision for the future of the Church.

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 FrancisOn 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.