The Secret Prayer That Sealed Pope Leo XIV’s Victory: A Journey from Chicago’s South Side to the Throne of Peter

On May 7, 2025, in a quiet room near the Vatican, Robert Prevost sat alone, his phone buzzing relentlessly with messages doubting his chance to become pope.

An American pope? Many said it was impossible.

Yet, in his hand was a worn wooden rosary—an heirloom from his mother—that held the secret to his triumph.

This was no ordinary prayer tool; it was a symbol of faith, struggle, and ultimate victory.

Robert’s mother had a ritual that defined his early life: waking him at 5 a.m. every day to pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.

Initially resenting this routine, Robert came to understand her words, “The tomb was never locked. The stone just looked too heavy.”

This lesson about resurrection and rising despite hardship would carry him through decades of missionary work in South America’s poorest villages, where he faced obscurity and doubt.

Feeling buried in his mission, Robert’s breakthrough came one morning as he prayed the first mystery—the Resurrection.

He realized that resurrection is not about avoiding death but rising after it.

This spiritual awakening transformed his perspective, turning his hidden years of service into preparation for a greater calling.

Pope Leo XIV’s teachings introduce the concept of “perpetual Saturday,” the liminal space where many find themselves stuck—not in crisis anymore but not yet victorious.

Whether in broken relationships, stalled careers, or abandoned dreams, this is a place of waiting and uncertainty.

The first Glorious Mystery, the Resurrection, is the key to breaking free, reminding believers that God specializes in moving stones that seem immovable.

But prayer alone is not enough.

The pope emphasizes that after prayer, action is required.

Like the newly elected pope who finished his rosary before addressing the world, believers must step out of their tombs with courage, moving from waiting for miracles to walking in victory.

The second mystery—the Ascension—teaches the importance of “ascension thinking,” a perspective that rises above earthly troubles to envision eternal outcomes.

Pope Leo XIV contrasts ground-level frustration with the heavenly vantage point, encouraging believers to pray and act as heirs to a divine kingdom, not victims of circumstance.

The narrative then shifts to the often overlooked work of faithfulness in the hidden, everyday moments.

The fourth mystery—the Assumption—honors the quiet sacrifices of parents, workers, nurses, and teachers whose labor may go unnoticed but is precious in God’s sight.

Pope Leo XIV reminds us that heaven’s scoreboard measures faithfulness, not fame.

Finally, the fifth mystery—the Coronation of Mary—serves as the seal that protects and fortifies a home and family.

This is not about perfection but about spiritual authority and protection.

Praying this mystery is likened to a queen placing a shield around her children, commanding peace and safety against every attack.

When Robert Prevost emerged on the balcony as Pope Leo XIV, holding the same rosary that had accompanied him through trials, the world saw a historic moment.

Yet behind the scenes was a story of five prayers, five keys, and one seal—a spiritual map that anyone can follow to transform their own life.

Pope Leo XIV’s message is clear: your hidden years, your quiet prayers, and your faithful service are not wasted.

They are being woven into a crown of glory.

The fortress you build through prayer must be maintained daily.

This is a call to rise, to act, and to claim the victory that faith promises.