As we mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day, a poignant story emerges linking the Vatican and U.S. military history. On this day, we reflect on the remarkable legacy of Louis Marius Prevost, the father of Pope Leo XIV, who served honorably as a Navy officer during the 1944 Normandy landings.
Prevost, a Chicago native born in 1920, was commissioned into the Navy in 1943 and held vital roles during Operation Overlord, which was part of the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944. His bravery continued as he commanded an infantry landing craft during Operation Dragoon, marking another significant Allied landing in Southern France that August.
Following the war, Prevost returned to Illinois, dedicating himself to education as superintendent of Brookwood School District 167 and later as the principal of Mount Carmel Elementary School. He was also committed to his faith, serving as a catechist. In 1949, he married Mildred Agnes Martinez, raising three sons, one of whom, Robert Francis Prevost, was elected Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, making history as the first American-born pope.
Prevost’s legacy of service and dedication lives on through his son’s achievements, showcasing a blend of military valor and spiritual leadership.
Source: www.foxnews.com
