Young people in the former Peruvian diocese of Pope Leo XIV used to gather in a parish parking lot behind the bishop’s residence, where they would rehearse music and dance, worship and make noise into the night — all within earshot of then-Bishop Robert F. Prevost.

The Archdiocese of Chicago has scheduled a Mass and a special program June 14 to celebrate the election and inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, a native son of the Windy City.

Get to know Pope Leo through this list of 10 things he’s actually said in the first days of his pontificate.

The election of a Chicago-born pope with Louisiana Creole ancestry is drawing attention from Black Catholics, especially after genealogist Jari Honora traced Pope Leo XIV’s maternal grandparents to New Orleans’ Black Catholic community. 

Pope Francis, who took his name from the patron saint of ecology — St. Francis of Assisi — died the day before Earth Day and about five weeks before the 10th anniversary of his landmark encyclical on care for creation.

Pope Leo XIV has advanced the sainthood causes of two missionaries whose murders in the Amazon jungle in Ecuador led to the protection of remote Indigenous peoples from encroaching extractive industries.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Michael M. Pham of San Diego to head the diocese.

Recognizing themselves as members of the one body of Christ, all Catholics should sense an urgency to share the Gospel message of God’s love with others and to welcome them as brothers and sisters, Pope Leo XIV said.

All the speeches and messages Pope Leo XIV has given since becoming pope May 8 are available on the Vatican website, which should be checked before sharing supposed quotes and videos, Vatican News said.

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance May 20 met Louis Prevost, the older brother of Pope Leo XIV, and his wife, Deborah Prevost, at the White House.