A new pope has been chosen from a field of 133 cardinals and with that selection, history was made.
The new pope — Robert Francis Prevost — becomes not only the first to be born in the United States, but the new pontiff’s roots are entrenched in the south suburbs.
Prevost, 69, who grew up in Dolton, has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV. Thousands of people who filled St. Peter’s Basilica last week were stunned at the announcement, along with the rest of the world.
While Prevost’s name was mentioned as an outside candidate, the selection of an American pope was startling news for not only U.S. Catholics but people of other faiths as well. It was assumed that a cardinal being selected from the U.S. would be discarded because it is a superpower nation.
The conclave took just two days and the selection was announced on May 8. While the news that an American pope had been chosen was startling, the fact that Prevost grew up in Dolton and is a product of the Chicago area had most in disbelief.
And the fact that many could point to where the 267th pope had grown up and frequented drew hundreds of followers to some of these sites in the suburbs and Chicago.
While residents of Chicago and the suburban communities could look at the new pope with pride, many from other parts of the country and beyond also looked at him as their own.
Pope Leo attended St. Augustine Seminary High School in Holland, Mich, and then graduated from Villanova University with a degree in mathematics. He received his Masters of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in the city’s Hyde Park neighborhood. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1982.
Over the years, he taught briefly at the former Mendel Catholic Prep and at St. Rita High School, 7740 S. Western Ave., Chicago. The Rev. Thomas McCarthy, the former principal at St. Rita and currently the chapel director at the school, had known the new pope for years. He referred to him as “Father Bob.”
The new pope was born Sept. 14, 1955, at Mercy Hospital in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. He lived in a small, modest home in Dolton just blocks from Chicago. He graduated from St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School in Chicago, just a few blocks from his house.
His father, Louis, was a teacher and later a district superintendent. His mother, Millie, served as a librarian for many years at Mendel. His older brothers Louis and John graduated from Mendel (now Gwendolyn Brooks Academy High School) in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood.
After the announcement, hundreds of people flocked past St. Mary of Assumption. The school and church closed several years ago but followers were curious to see where the new pope went to school. His old residence also has drawn many to view it and take photos.
He is also the first Augustinian to become pope. But while the fact that he was born in the United States has been celebrated, Pope Leo was also a missionary priest and bishop in Peru for over 10 years and well respected there. He was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2015, by Pope Francis. He became a Cardinal in 2023 and brought to the Vatican by Pope Francis.
The Rev. Robert Pajor, pastor of St. Gerald Parish in Oak Lawn, was ecstatic about the selection of a Chicago native to become the new pope. Pajor mentioned during Mass Saturday afternoon that he has a close connection to the new pontiff.
“When I heard his name was announced I was so emotional that I was brought to tears,” Pajor said. “And to find out he was born and raised in Chicago was amazing. His first words spoken were about peace. He is a humble servant.”
Pajor said that he attended numerous meetings the day before the selection and during brief intervals would glance at his phone, only to notice that black smoke would come out of the chimney. He became overjoyed when white smoke appeared the following day.
“I like the fact that he is from Chicago and from the United States,” Pajor added. “He also served as a missionary in Peru. When I came from Poland, I thought I would be sent as a missionary to Africa or South America. I was very happy to come to the United States as a missionary. Pope Leo was also a missionary priest. He cares for the poor and is humble and has humility.”
Pope Leo said on Sunday that he would carry on the principles of his predecessor Pope Francis. He was quoted as saying that he wants to make the Catholic Church more inclusive and receptive to immigrants and caring for the poor. He would like to see the war in Gaza end and for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
Pajor said that while there is jubilation with the selection of the new pope, a heavy burden will rest on his shoulders. Many Catholics, including in the United States, may not agree with his statements about immigrants, along with President Donald Trump and members of his administration.
“He has a very difficult task,” Pajor said. “He will be watched by many and will be criticized. We have to get behind the pope and walk ahead and follow Christ.”
And because this is Chicago, there was even debate over his allegiances to his favorite baseball team. It was initially reported that he was a Cubs fan, but after several TV and print media journalists visited John Prevost at his New Lenox home, he set the record straight.
He said his brother is indeed a Sox fan. Footage of him attending a 2005 World Series game to see the Sox play the Houston Astros has been shown repeatedly online. He is also a fan of Aurelio’s Pizza and went to the flagship location in Homewood with a group to dine just last year.
“This is so exciting,” said Pajor, who plans to hold a celebration prayer service next month at St. Gerald for the new pope. “Chicago is always known throughout the world as the Windy City. Now it will be known as the city of the pope. Pope Leo will always be known as the pope from Chicago.”