VILLANOVA — As Villanova University students studied for final exams, or carried boxes to and from their dorms Thursday, others watched the white smoke that changed the world.
Minutes later, a familiar face appeared on screens worldwide: a Villanova alum now known to the world as Pope Leo XIV and to others locally as a friend.
Robert Prevost became the first U.S. pope elected in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church and took the name of Leo XIV.
Prevost, a native of Chicago who spent his career ministering in Peru and lead the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, is a 1977 graduate of Villanova University.
“It was an overwhelming moment for us here at Villanova. Absolutely, it’s a big surprise,” said Kevin Hughes, Villanova’s chair of theology and religious studies. “His name had come up a number of times. We had been thinking about it, talking about it, but everybody thought there’s just an outside chance.
“What are the chances we could have an American pope? We had his name in mind, but we didn’t think it could happen.”
Bells sounded across the campus with the announcement that an alumnus had been elected pope.
The celebration was on as students, alumni and Catholics flocked to St. Thomas of Villanova church, which is the center of spiritual life on campus, reacting with amazement at the news.
Ryan Hartnett, a senior from Doylestown, said, “It’s surreal.”
He has been interning with a local communications company, and took part in researching who may become pope as part of his work and knew Prevost was one of the top 10 contenders.
“As soon as we heard, we turned on our TVs,” said Hartnett, who was in his dorm room. “They said the famous words on the balcony. When we found out it was by order of St. Augustine, we were like ‘oh my gosh.’ All the celebrations started like that. It’s unbelievable to see someone from this institution like that.”
“I just heard the church bells ringing. I was like, ‘oh my God.’ It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. It was like we won a national championship.
“I don’t know many other Big East or Big 5 schools that have a pope,” Hartnett said.
It was pointed out that neither does Notre Dame.
“That makes us the superior Catholic institution,” he joked.
‘Didn’t expect it’
Not far away, as Hughes and Kerry San Chirico, associate professor of theology and religious studies, spoke an hour after the papal announcement, students strolled past the landmark Villanova University sign just steps away, waiting to cross a busy Lancaster Avenue.
“A lot of people, despite his qualifications, didn’t expect it,” San Chirico said. “I didn’t expect it, my colleagues didn’t. We were in our offices.”
Hughes added: “There was a stunned silence first … and then a big uproar. When the announcement came, there was just sort of a buzz that carried through the whole campus.”
Among those buzzing were a group of about 40 students who attended a study abroad program in Rome in October and attended Mass led by then-Cardinal Prevost.
“Some of our students in the department went and met with Bob. They had Mass with him at the crypt, at St. Peter’s. So this is a guy who they just met,” Hughes said.
“He was an Augustinian in good standing, and a really influential member, and has Villanova ties, so they were able to make that connection. He’s been a presence around here: We have some of the midwestern Augustinians here, so he’s come to check on them. He’s been a presence and a supporter,” Hughes said.
Pope’s first remarks
“Even rhetorically, in his speech, he’s picking up the echoes of Pope Francis. He emphasized being a pope for all people, and then he invoked St. Augustine, and said ‘To you I am your bishop, with you I am a Christian.’ That’s the spirit of St. Augustine, right there,” Hughes said.
“I don’t know that [the Villanova community] fully understands the impact of it yet, nor do we as an institution, but he walked this campus, he knows it very well, he’s been here many, many times. It’s safe to say no one in the Augustinian community at Villanova doesn’t know him,” San Chirico said.
A pastor and a leader
“I would say the church is in good hands. He’s a warm pastoral presence, he’s a great administrator, but never an administrator that’s lost the personal, pastoral touch,” said Hughes.
“I see a lot of continuity between he and Pope Francis: How he’s comported himself, the words he’s already chosen. I see more continuity than difference,” said San Chirico.
The new pope is likely to speak out against ongoing conflicts, like in Ukraine and the Middle East, the two said.
“I was struck in his speech, how often he said ‘Peace.’ Peace was the word that he led with most, and I think he’s sending a signal there,” said Hughes.
“Given his ministry in Peru for decades, he might not be as American as we think he is. He’s really a person who’s given his life to Latin America. Once again, as with Francis, we see that continuity — coming from Latin America, with the concerns of Latin Americans, but also having come from the United States, and noting the juxtapositions of interests and concerns between those two demographics,” San Chirico added.
And the new pope may have sent a message with his language: “When he went off script, and finished his Italian speech, the next speech he gave was in Spanish, to his people in Peru. I’m not offended, but it shows where his pastoral connection is, to the people in Peru,” Hughes said.
Out in front of St. Thomas, Joe DiMaria of Newtown, Connecticut, said he was in his dorm room doing homework when a family member alerted him to the white smoke.
“I was surprised at how quick it was,” he said. “That’s is so cool. Yesterday [former Villanova players] Jaylen Brunson, Mikeal Bridges go up 2-0 in the [NBA] Eastern Conference finals. It’s been a good two days.”
“Students seem happy,” said a priest who declined to be identified since he is not authorized for the school. “He [Prevost] was a leader in the church, but it is a highly secretive process. We prayed the Holy Spirit would work accordingly.
“We were so excited to hear that. We got an email from the office of the president [Donohue],” said Emilie Mooney, who is graduating from law school and was on campus getting photos with her roommate in their caps and gowns. “We came here and there are so many people.”
Mark Sullivan and his adult daughter Kristen also stopped by the St. Thomas of Villanova church. Kristen lives in London but was back visiting her parents.
Though they both went to Georgetown, but as Catholics on the Main Line, they have a close connection to the school.
“Shocking in the best possible way [to describe it],” Mark said.
“It’s a pretty cool time to be here,” Kristen said, “To be in the States for the first selection [of an American Pope].”
Asked if the selection of Leo would bode well for the Catholic Church, Mark said yes.
“Catholicism in the U.S. has been on the wane. This should recharge Catholicism in the United States,” he said.
Kristen said that if Leo is a continuation of the philosophy of Pope Francis, that is a positive thing. But what often happens following a liberal pope is that the next pope moves back to a more conservative view and the political undercurrents of the country.
“If we go for somebody who is possibly a bit more moderate, I think that is a win,” she said.
“If we can lead with Francis’ intentions but also find a bit more middle ground for unity within the Catholic Church, that is very important,” Kristen said.
“Even though Leo the 14th is American, he is a global pope. He’s lived globally for a long period of time, is fluent in five different languages, understands and reads Greek and Latin, and is going to be a great communicator,” Mark said.
Kristen said, “It is a funny caveat that in England, the BBC is saying he’s American but he gets what’s going on around the world, that’s quite interesting.”
Villanova administration reacts
The university celebrated the election, noting that Leo is the first Augustinian friar to be elected pontiff. Villanova is the only Augustinian Catholic university in the United States.
“As an Augustinian Catholic institution, we celebrate this significant day for our University community and the global Church,” University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue said in a statement. “Villanova, built on the teachings of St. Augustine, has always been grounded in advancing a deeper understanding of the fundamental relationship between faith and reason — between spirituality and wisdom.
“With today’s election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, I cannot help but reflect on what his Augustinian papacy will mean to our university community and our world,” Donohue went on to say. “Known for his humility, gentle spirit, prudence and warmth, Pope Leo XIV’s leadership offers an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to our educational mission.”
Prior to being named a cardinal, Prevost was named by Pope Francis as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
Prevost earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Villanova in 1977. He earned a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1982 and was ordained a priest that year. He was named a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.
The Morning Call staff contributed to this report.
