Philadelphia Celebrates New Pope, Villanova Alumnus and Global Leader
Philadelphia has energetically celebrated the appointment of Pope Leo XIV, an American and Villanova University alumnus. Born in Illinois, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, attended Villanova University, just outside of Philadelphia, from 1973 to 1977, which was one out of a myriad of experiences that led him down the path to the papacy.
Prevost chose Villanova with clear purpose, drawn to its identity as one of only two Augustinian Catholic universities in the United States. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics before setting off to join the Order of Saint Augustine and become a priest a few years later.
Yet, the Villanova graduate remained an important part of the school’s community and involved himself whenever he was able to. Current Villanova President Peter Donahue shared that Pope Leo XIV has been a great friend to himself and the university, visiting when he was in town and even sitting on the board of trustees for a short time. In recognition of his many prominent roles in the church and devotion to furthering its mission, Villanova awarded Prevost an honorary doctorate of the humanities in 2014. This marks a historic moment not just for American Catholics but also for Villanova University, making Pope Leo XIV one of the very few pontiffs with direct ties to the United States and its academic institutions.
“I cannot help but reflect on what his Augustinian papacy will mean to our University community and our world,” shared Donahue. “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.”
Prevost was a longtime leader of the church community in Chiclayo, Peru, starting out as a missionary in 1985 and eventually becoming an Archbishop, the President of Pontifical Commission of Latin America, as well as a naturalized Peru citizen. He also traveled the world as a General of the Augustinians. The Pope’s multicultural background, his work across different countries, and his mastery of five languages contributed to his selection as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, emphasizing the importance of global perspectives and the ability to connect with as many people as possible in this role.
Within the first few days in his new position, Pope Leo XIV was sure to clarify his goals in supporting social justice and the impoverished, in line with the late Pope Francis’ practices, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations that address these needs. As one of the most historical and culturally significant leaders in the world, the Pope is also in the important position of advocating for the protection of world heritage and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
With a renewed commitment to addressing the needs of those less fortunate and affected by world tragedies, as well as culturally significant sites across the globe, the Roman Catholic Church remains a large inspiration across the world, and a new leader will guide the institution to instill new changes. It is inspiring to recognize where Pope Leo XIV came from, his devoted learnings and travels, and the impact he has yet to make.
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Main Photo Credit: By Edgar Beltrán / The Pillar - https://x.com/edgarjbb_/status/1920590815472108021, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=164968160
