In a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of Chicago, far from the grandeur of Vatican City, an unexpected voice has emerged from the past to shed light on the early life of the first American pope, Leo XIV. That voice belongs to his older brother, Thomas Prevost, a retired teacher in his early 70s who has, until now, remained largely out of the public eye. But in a recent, heartfelt interview, Thomas revealed a deeply personal family secret that he says shaped his brother’s spiritual path and inspired his calling to the priesthood — a secret the family has kept private for decades.

What he revealed wasn’t a scandal or controversy, but something more intimate, rooted in love, loss, and faith.

A Childhood Marked by Quiet Tragedy

According to Thomas, the Prevost family faced a tragedy in their early years that profoundly influenced the future pope’s sense of purpose. “When Robert was just nine years old,” Thomas began, referring to Pope Leo XIV by his birth name, “our younger sister, Angela, passed away from a rare illness. It happened so suddenly. One week she had a fever, and the next we were at her funeral.”

Angela was only five years old at the time. Her death devastated the close-knit family, especially young Robert, who was deeply attached to his sister. “He never really talked much about it afterward,” Thomas said. “But he changed. He became quieter, more reflective. That’s when he started spending a lot of time at church.”

The loss of Angela became a turning point in the young boy’s life. As Thomas describes it, Robert found comfort in faith when words and explanations failed. Their local parish became not just a place of worship but a sanctuary, a space where he began asking deeper questions about life, suffering, and the soul.

The Turning Point: A Childhood Vow

Thomas revealed that shortly after Angela’s passing, Robert confided in him about a decision he had made. “He told me one evening, ‘I’m going to become a priest. I want to help people find peace when they lose someone, just like I lost Angela.’ I remember it clearly because he was so certain, even as a child.”

It was more than a passing wish. As Robert grew older, that quiet vow solidified into a lifelong mission. He volunteered at church, immersed himself in theological study, and eventually entered the priesthood. But according to Thomas, the motivation never changed. “Angela’s memory was always with him. He saw his vocation as a way to bring comfort and healing, the way he wished someone had done for us back then.”

A Family Decision to Stay Silent

The Prevost family never spoke publicly about Angela’s death. Not even when Robert rose through the ranks of the Church — first as a bishop, then as a prefect in the Vatican, and eventually as pope — did they mention the tragedy that had shaped him. “We didn’t want it to become a headline,” Thomas explained. “It was personal. Sacred, even.”

However, with his brother now occupying the highest spiritual office in the Catholic Church, Thomas felt it was time the world knew about the quiet force behind Pope Leo XIV’s compassion. “People see the pope, the theologian, the leader. But before all that, he was a boy who lost his sister and found strength in faith.”

Resonating With the World

The revelation adds a new layer of depth to the persona of Pope Leo XIV, known already for his strong pastoral style, emotional intelligence, and focus on outreach to those suffering. His messages often emphasize mercy, grief, and the hope of eternal life — themes now understood in a more personal context.

Those close to the pope say that his empathy for grieving families and his focus on human dignity have always stood out in his ministry. “Now it makes sense,” said a Vatican aide who read the interview. “He understands loss on a deeply personal level. That’s why he connects with people the way he does.”

A Brother’s Final Words

Thomas closed the interview with a quiet smile. “I don’t know if Robert will ever talk about it himself. That’s not his way. But I think Angela’s story deserves to be told — not for attention, but to show that from even the most painful parts of life, something beautiful can grow. That’s what Robert teaches the world every day.”

As the world continues to watch Pope Leo XIV navigate the challenges of leading a global church, this newly revealed family story offers a glimpse into the private heart of a public figure — a story of love, grief, and the enduring strength of faith.