Friars celebrate election of former classmate as Pope Leo XIV

Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe friars joined the Church in celebration when white smoke signaled a new pope's election on May 8. Many Franciscans thought, "I know him!" as Cardinal Robert Prevost appeared on the balcony and was introduced as Pope Leo XIV.   

A Chicago-born pope with Franciscan ties, Cardinal Robert Prevost left a lasting impression on friars who knew him through Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union.   

Pope Leo took his name in honor of Pope Leo XIII, who advocated for the rights of workers during the Industrial Revolution and laid the foundation for Catholic Social Teaching. Pope Leo has said that the rise of AI is posing new challenges for “the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.” 

Br. Michael Johnson, OFM, of Hartford, Connecticut, values Pope Leo's missionary work with the poor in Bolivian prisons and Peruvian slums more than his American citizenship.  

“I know how deeply that experience shapes you,” he said. “That’s why this moment gives me such hope. Pope Leo XIV immediately spoke about the Church as a missionary Church that goes out. A Church grounded in Scripture and the Eucharist, yes, but not one that stays still.” 

As the former Cardinal Robert Prevost emerged on the Vatican balcony, several friars immediately recalled meeting him at Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union. (Photo courtesy of Br. Greg Friedman, OFM)

The Pope’s classmates  

Br. Albert Haase, OFM, and the pope were classmates at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. “I remember his unassuming presence, extraordinary kindness, desire to be a missionary and love for the Chicago White Sox,” Br. Albert said.  

The pope and Br. Jerry Bleem, OFM, graduated from CTU 43 years ago.    

“I saw him in class for four years,” he said of the pope.  “That smile in his pictures? That’s how he always was, kind and even-tempered.”   

Br. Greg Friedman, OFM, and Br. Ashley Tillek, OFM, of South Africa, were in St. Peter’s Square when the College of Cardinals chose a new pope. (Photo courtesy of Br. Greg Freidman, OFM)

Friars in Rome  

During the conclave, Br. Javier Del Angel De Los Santos, OFM, was in Rome, where he studies Biblical Theology at Pontifical Gregorian University. He recorded this message from the Vatican in Spanish, collaborating with Mexican News Agency LATINUS.   

Br. Javier believes the pope will address issues like discrimination, marginalization, migration and poverty. “He will be familiar with these problems, and many others in Latin America,” he said. “May his pontificate be fruitful for him and the universal church.”   

Br. Greg Friedman, OFM, was not planning on being on site for the announcement. “I could not believe events conspired to land me in St. Peter’s Square at the moment of the white smoke,” he said. “Cardinal Provost was someone I thought would make a good successor.”   

He called the pope an “insider, a missionary, committed to the synodal process.” 

Friars around the province, including the fraternity at St. Anthony Friary in Butler, New Jersey, watched the papal conclave unfold on television. From left to right: Br. Daniel Lanahan, OFM; Br. Christopher VanHaight, OFM; Br. Gerald Mudd, OFM; and Br. Russell Becker, OFM. (Photo courtesy of Br. Kevin McGoff, OFM)

Observing from afar  

At Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., Siena Hall's dome was illuminated in white and yellow, the colors of the Vatican flag.   

Br. Michael Perry, OFM, director of Siena’s Laudato Si’ Center for Integral Ecology, met the pope when he was a seminarian at CTU.  In an article posted on Siena’s website, Br. Michael said one of his friends in Peru called the pope “a missionary at heart, he loves the poor, he is a priest of the people, and he will provide great leadership for the Church.”   

Br. Kevin Mullen, OFM, guardian of the local friary, mentioned the pope's efforts with the poor in Peru. “They held him in high esteem because, like St. Francis, he preached with example, not just words,” he said. “He walked the talk!”   

Br. Mark Reamer, OFM, Siena’s vice president for mission, appreciates the link between Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV. “He will advocate for human dignity and the common good,” he said. 

Back in Connecticut, Br. Michael Johnson, OFM, believes Leo's name highlights his commitment to Catholic social teaching. 

“I pray we [as a Church] continue to walk with the poor, speak for the forgotten, care for creation, and make room for all at the table,” he said. “That the one now leading us does so from that place of encounter, mission, and justice is a call to each of us." 

Br. Ed Tverdek, OFM, director of The Ockham Center in Chicago, cautioned people to be patient with Pope Leo as he begins his papacy.   

“Give him the benefit of the doubt,” he said. “He'll almost certainly give each of us in return something to cheer and something to boo at one point or another – but he'll do so, Catholics believe, through the grace of God and not a partisan playbook.” 

The first photo in this article is courtesy of Independent Photo Agency Srl / Alamy Stock Photo.