Pope Leo XIV's brother, a Florida resident, reacts to historic election: 'Shock and awe'

FULL INTERVIEW: Pope Leo XIV's Florida brother reacts to election

One of Pope Leo XIV’s brothers lives in Port Charlotte, Florida. FOX 13’s Kimberly Kuizon sat down with Louis Prevost as he reflected on his baby brother’s higher-calling to the priesthood.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - When the white smoke rose above the Vatican on Thursday, one Port Charlotte man felt a wave of disbelief and pride: his younger brother had just become the next pope.

What they're saying:

"Shock and awe," said Louis Prevost, who has lived in the area for about five years with his wife, Deborah. "We heard them read the name, so we knew it was coming. And then to see him – it all hit home and became real. It was like, ‘Oh, that’s Rob… oh my God… yay, Rob!’"

Louis is the older brother of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost. The two grew up together in Chicago, where, even back then, Robert stood out. As Louis described, his family knew Robert had a higher calling.

Robert Prevost, who is now Pope Leo XIV, grew up with his siblings in Chicago.

"We used to play as kids. He used to play priest. I never played priest. Who plays priest?" said Louis. "He likes to play priest, and we teased him about that. As little kids, we teased him like, ‘who do you think you are the pope?’ The family knew. Myself, brother and parents. He’s got a calling. There’s something about him. Sure enough, he finished grade school and rather than go to high school, he went right into the seminary for the Augustinians."

Taking the name Pope Leo XIV and as he appeared to the crowd, Louis' wife said God directed the newly named Pontiff to this moment.

"As he was walking towards the balcony and up on the ramp just seeing his forehead come up, I said ‘it really is him,’" said Deborah Prevost. "Since then, it’s been a blur. It’s just such a unifying event to happen. It’s brought so many people together. I think it’ll be good for the Catholic Church overall."

Louis said he talks to his brother two to three times a week, and just before the conclave, they discussed what could happen.

"We talked a little bit about it and I said, ‘You know what happens if you win? If they vote for you? Are you going to accept it?’ ‘I will accept it,’ he said. ‘It’s God’s will. It’s in his hands.’"

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025. Robert Francis Prevost was on Thursday electe

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Now, Louis says the reality of the role is bittersweet.

"I wonder if we’ll actually be able to see him again and be with him… and shake his hand and hug him. Yeah, I’m the pope’s brother, but it’s hard to get in to see the pope."

Pictured: Louis Prevost.

Still, he believes Pope Leo XIV, Pope Leo XIV, who is a leading figure not just to his family, but now the entire world, is ready.

"They want somebody that can run the church and bring it back and grow it, and he’s the man," said Louis.

What's next:

Pope Leo XIV will be formally installed as the new Pontiff next Sunday during a special Mass in St. Peter's Square. At that Mass you can expect to see the pope's brothers.

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The Source: Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Matthew McClellan and Kimberly Kuizon.