Louis Prevost was watching Newsmax when history changed his family forever. The Florida resident saw breaking news that his younger brother Robert Prevost had become Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff. “My heart stopped,” Louis said. “Then I thanked God for blessing our family.”
The new Pope’s brother shared childhood memories from their Illinois home. As kids, Robert turned an ironing board into an altar and handed out Necco wafers as communion. “While we played cops, he played priest,” Louis recalled. “Even back then, we knew he was special.”
Louis described the moment the white smoke appeared over the Vatican. Newsmax cut to live coverage as cardinals announced his brother’s new name. “I fell to my knees,” he said. “Our mother’s prayer book fell off the shelf right then—like she was cheering from heaven.”
The brothers grew up in a blue-collar Chicago suburb with strong Catholic roots. Their father worked at a steel mill while their mother led parish charity drives. Louis joked that young Robert “prayed more than he played baseball,” though he still rooted for the White Sox.
Louis emphasized the significance of an American pope breaking Europe’s centuries-old monopoly on the papacy. “This proves God still believes in American exceptionalism,” he said. “My brother will bring common sense to the Vatican—no more woke nonsense.”
When asked about challenges facing the new Pope, Louis grew serious. “He’ll defend traditional values against radical liberals trying to destroy the Church,” he stated. “Expect him to protect the unborn, support strong borders, and stand up to communist regimes.”
The emotional brother choked up describing their late parents’ reaction. “Dad would’ve bought a round for the whole neighborhood,” Louis said. “Mom would’ve told reporters ‘I told you so’—she knew Robert was destined for greatness.”
Louis ended with a message to faithful Americans: “This pope understands your struggles. He’ll fight for your right to pray, work hard, and raise families God’s way.” He urged viewers to subscribe to Newsmax for continued coverage of this “miracle for America.”
