It’s not his nationality – nor his age – but the religious figurehead’s undergraduate degree.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, the 69-year-old Pontiff has been described by admirers as an intriguing blend of old-school reverence and modern sensibility.
Dubbed the ‘Latin Yankee’ by the Italian press, he’s a far cry from the more traditional papal image.
He speaks five languages, has spent decades working in Latin America and Europe, and he’s a fan of the 2024 thriller Conclave – which he reportedly watched shortly before living out the real thing.
But it’s a quieter detail from his past that’s currently making waves online.
Long before white vestments and Vatican addresses, Pope Leo was a quiet, academically gifted student at Villanova University, an Augustinian institution in Pennsylvania.
He graduated in 1977. And while some might have guessed he studied theology or philosophy, the truth is far more unexpected.
Dubbed the ‘Latin Yankee’ in Rome, people are scrambling to learn more of the newly elected Pope Robert Francis Prevost
He speaks five languages, has spent decades working in Latin America and Europe, and he’s a fan of the 2024 thriller Conclave – which he reportedly watched shortly before living out the real thing. But it’s a quieter detail from his past that’s currently making waves online
The Pope has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.
‘The Pope being a math major means that he not only believes that Jesus multiplied bread and fish – he understands exactly how he did it,’ one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Another chimed in: ‘Math major possible career paths: quant, programmer, grad student… pope.’
A third added wryly: ‘The new Pope is from Chicago and has a math degree, which goes to show you can still make a success of your life even if you don’t pass the first-round interview at Jump.’
One comment read: ‘Just found out the new pope studied math at undergrad in case you’re wondering how tough the job market is for technical roles right now.’
The image of a spiritual leader who once solved calculus problems and sat in lectures on differential equations is incongruous to many.
The new Pope’s undergraduate degree has become a cause for fascination online – as many can’t believe it
Pope Leo XIV’s brothers used to tease that he would become Pope one day, owing to his ‘holiness’
People gather on the day of a Mass at the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Chiclayo in Peru to celebrate the appointment of Pope Leo XIV
One X user summed it up best: ‘HE’S A MATH MAJOR???’
And it’s not the only surprise the new Pope has delivered.
He’s also been teased by his brothers in interviews for being a ‘goody two shoes’ growing up.
Louis Prevost said: ‘When we were little kids we used to tease him, “You’re going to be pope someday, you’re too holy!”‘.
While Pope Leo XIV settles into the role of spiritual leader for 1.3 billion Catholics, the internet continues to wrap its head around the latest seeming contrast.
And his new role comes with all sorts of work perks, as Pope Leo XIV will soon be bestowed with the priceless regalia and vast estate that comes with the papacy, including gold jewellery, a bullet-proof popemobile and opulent Papal apartments.
His new life at the Vatican will be a far cry from his upbringing in a suburban town in Illinois.
The first American Pope is set to be inaugurated during a grandiose mass this week, during which he will receive the pallium, an ecclesiastical vestment in the Catholic church.
The Fisherman’s ring, perhaps the most symbolic piece of jewellery worn by a Pope, will then be placed on his finger.
The ring, inscribed with his Papal name and an image of St Peter casting his net, reportedly has an estimated value of $520,000.
Another invaluable piece of jewellery worn by Popes is their pectoral cross – each of which are specific to individual pontiffs.
As he greeted the faithful after his election on Thursday, Leo XIV wore a cross with a removable cover that contains the bones of saints, given to him by his religious order, the Augustinians, when he was made a cardinal in 2023.
The cross contains fragments of the bones of three key saints for the order, namely St Augustine, his mother St Monica and 16th-century archbishop St Thomas of Villanova.
