ABC News snagged an exclusive interview with John Prevost, brother of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV: the first-ever American Pope, born and bred on the South Side of Chicago.

 

Patrick and Cyrus aired this audio during The Patrick Madrid Show, letting the story breathe... and man, did it breathe life into the moment.

 

 

Brotherly Love & Shock 

 

John’s tone was a mix of disbelief, joy, and spiritual awe.

 

“Not a lot of people can say ‘my brother is the Pope.’”

 

Yeah, no kidding, John.

 

He admitted that the news still hadn’t sunk in. The calls, texts, interviews… it’s been a nonstop frenzy since the white smoke rose over St. Peter’s. At first, John thought the idea of an American Pope was laughable... too much geopolitical baggage, right?

 

But when Pope Leo XIV was in the final three candidates, things got real fast. And when the name was finally announced:

 

There was screaming, curtain-watching, and immediate family pride overload.

 

 

The Man Behind the Mitre

 

So, who is Pope Leo XIV?

 

John paints a humble picture. He’s:

 

-A “regular run-of-the-mill guy”

 

-Molded by missionary work in South America

 

-Passionate about serving the poor and voiceless

 

-Inspired by (and likely to continue the path of) Pope Francis

 

John explained that his brother Pope Leo XIV met Pope Francis years ago while serving in Peru and Argentina, long before either of them wore white.

 

 

Roots in Chicago

 

Though Leo XIV left for the seminary after 8th grade (to Holland, MI, then Villanova), the Chicago DNA runs deep. His early life was that of a typical kid: neighborhood games, bike rides, and, get this: a prophetic neighbor lady once said he’d be Pope… in first grade.

 

Just picture it: a kid on the block, riding his bike, and the neighbor declaring, “That one’s gonna be Pope.”

 

Holy Spirit, anyone? 

 

 

From Chicago sidewalks to St. Peter’s Square, this story reminds us that God writes the most unexpected plots.

 

And yeah; He’s definitely not done yet.