The Chicago-Born Villanova Grad, Now Known as Pope Leo XIV
By • May 12, 2025 0 335
With the first plume of white smoke after the fourth ballot of the conclave, history was made. On Thursday, May 8, the world stood waiting with bated breath, wondering who Francis’s successor would be, the 267th successor to St. Peter, the next pope.
The answer would come to be a complete surprise, with audible gasps from news anchors. The next pope would be Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, and he was from the United States.
Most American Catholics alive today grew up with the unspoken (and sometimes spoken) notion that the pope would never be American. Most have been Italian, and of course in more recent years Polish and Argentinian. The shock and excitement soon made its way through the crowd in Saint Peter’s Square, with visible tears from many. About 90 minutes after the white smoke came from the Sistine Chapel chimney, Prevost emerged. He had chosen the name Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo is a Chicago-born, Villanova graduate and former leader of the Order of St. Augustine. He is a dual American-Peruvian citizen, having done extensive missionary work in Peru. He served as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru from 2015 to 2023.
While he was a relatively unknown candidate who was recently named a cardinal by Pope Francis just two years ago, at just 69, Leo could potentially lead the Catholic church for decades. Softspoken yet firm, during talks before and during the conclave to vote for the next pope, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who served as the Archbishop of Washington from 2019 to 2025, told The New York Times that then-Cardinal Prevost had conversed “quite effectively” in smaller discussions with cardinals.
A new “White Smoke” shake offered by the Chicago White Sox. Courtesy Instagram/@chicago_history.
Pope Leo is seeking to unify and continue Francis’s papacy, but with his own personality. He is planning on focusing on building bridges and supporting migrants, which contrasts the current Trump administration. Before his election to the papacy, Prevost reposted an article from The National Catholic Reporter with the headline: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
Cardinal Prevost chose his name, a tradition that the 266 other popes before him did, to pay homage to Pope Leo XIII. He praised Leo XIII’s commitment to workers’ rights and social issues, particularly during the turn of the 20th century’s Industrial Revolution. Leo said now, 25 years into the 21st century, we are facing new obstacles like the rise of AI.
An American Pope has certainly brought a newfound sense of global pride, particularly in a contentious time for our country when many are seeking for a reason to be proud to be from the U.S. After word came out that Pope Leo is a Chicago White Sox fan, the team offered a special “White Smoke” milkshake served in a commemorative pope hat.
American Catholics are jubilant, coincidentally in a Jubilee Year. At Mass this past weekend, there were plenty of smiles and excitement. Navigating a global stage can be often tumultuous, and only time will tell how Pope Leo’s papacy will turn out. Until then, he is praying for us all to “live in service to one another” so we can “walk in love and truth” on our life journey.
Masses of Thanksgiving for Pope Leo XIV
Holy Trinity Church will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Leo XIV at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, in the main church on 36th Street NW. Limited free parking will be available at nearby Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, located at 35th and Volta Streets, NW.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will celebrate a special “Mass of Thanksgiving upon the Inauguration of Pope Leo XIV” at noon, Sunday, May 18, in the Great Upper Church — 400 Michigan Ave. NE — on the same day of the inauguration of the new Holy Father at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
