Vatican: The first comprehensive biography of Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected head of the Catholic Church and the first American to ascend to the papacy, was officially unveiled at a Vatican event on May 22. Titled “Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope,” the book is now available for purchase through the EWTN Religious Catalogue.

Authored by renowned Vatican journalist and Church historian Dr. Matthew Bunson, the book explores the remarkable life and spiritual journey of Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago native who was elected pope on May 8. Bunson, vice president and editorial director at EWTN News, brings decades of expertise to the biography, having authored more than 50 books on Catholicism and papal history.

Speaking at the book’s launch at the historic Campo Santo Teutonico inside Vatican City, Bunson described Pope Leo XIV as a man of deep global experience. He highlighted the pontiff’s pastoral service, leadership as the prior general of the Augustinian order, missionary work in Peru, and his episcopal and cardinal roles as key elements that shaped his wide-ranging vision for the Church.

In his remarks, Bunson noted that Pope Leo XIV has quickly emerged as a powerful unifying presence within the Church, rooted firmly in a Christ-centered theology. “He radiates a deep spiritual authenticity,” Bunson said. “This is someone profoundly shaped by the person of Jesus Christ and driven by a commitment to unity and the dignity of every human life.”

The biography portrays Pope Leo XIV as a leader molded by the Augustinian tradition and grounded in intellectual rigor, holding degrees in mathematics and canon law. According to Bunson, these qualifications may well position him to address some of the Vatican’s most pressing administrative and financial challenges.

The book also delves into pressing moral and theological questions facing the global Church today. It considers Pope Leo’s potential responses to debates over doctrine, modern culture, and the Church’s role in an age of digital and technological transformation. Additionally, the choice of the name “Leo” is examined for its historical and symbolic significance, with Bunson suggesting it reflects a bold vision for the future of the papacy.

EWTN Chairman and CEO Michael Warsaw praised the timeliness and significance of the publication. “We’re thrilled to offer this definitive biography so soon after Pope Leo XIV’s election,” Warsaw told. “It’s our mission to help Catholics and the wider world understand the man who now carries the immense responsibility of the papacy.”

Warsaw also emphasized the shared heritage between the Holy Father and EWTN. “Pope Leo is the first pope born in the United States and only the second from the Americas. EWTN, while global in reach, shares those American roots,” he said.

The biography is available for immediate purchase through the EWTN Religious Catalogue, offering readers a rich and timely insight into the life, character, and mission of the new pope at the dawn of his pontificate.