PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As Robert Prevost walked into view on the loggia in St. Peter’s Square as the newly elected pope, crowds erupted in cheers and waved flags from across the world as a welcome. Not long before, the cheers and prayers began across Vatican City as white smoke emanated from the Sistine Chapel, signalling the end of the conclave to elect a new pope after just two rounds of voting.
But it wasn’t just the Vatican rejoicing at the news of Prevost’s election, the first U.S. pope in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history, who will take the name Pope Leo XIV. Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old pontiff has ties to the Philadelphia area as a 1977 Villanova University grad, where Prevost studied mathematics before pivoting to the priesthood.
A ‘proud and extraordinary day for Villanova’
The bells tolled on the Main Line campus as a group of students, administrators and community leaders honored one of their own.
Dr. Jaisy Joseph, who led 40 students and faculty on a trip to Rome last year to meet then-Cardinal Prevost, said there were tears of joy.
“At first when the announcement was made, it was just pure silence, I think shock,” she said. “Scanning the scene, I looked at an elderly Augustinian who was just overcome with emotion.”
Sophomore Amos Colocho still remembers meeting Prevost on the trip.
“Just being in his presence then and thinking about it retrospectively now, honestly, just very surreal,” said Colocho.
He said Prevost’s message of peace he shared on the loggia on Thursday was not lip service.
“Personally, I’m not Catholic, and when I chose to not receive the Eucharist by crossing my arms, he was blessing me,” said Colocho. “That action itself really stuck with me and it’s something that I’m still thinking about.”
In a statement released by Villanova after Prevost’s election, Rev. Peter Donohue, the university’s president, called it a “proud and extraordinary day for Villanova University and the global Church.”
“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, through an Augustinian lens, as we pursue intellectual and spiritual growth,” Donohue said.
Prayers in Philadelphia
About 40 minutes from Villanova’s campus in Center City, Philadelphia faithful filed into the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for Mass when Prevost was named the new pontiff.
Monsignor John Slavinski was celebrating Mass when he heard the commotion about the election of the new pope.
“First of all, there aren't that many American cardinals. But second of all, just the fact of an American being elected. I guess we never really considered that,” he said.
Diane Khatchikan stopped by the basilica to offer a prayer to Leo. She said the day was already special because it would have been her dad’s 99th birthday.
“I’m thrilled that it’s an American. I think it’s going to change the view of Americans around the world,” said Khatchikan. “I’m praying for that.”
“It’s a big blessing for us as Catholics, and I’m most excited he took the name Leo. That was what I was hoping for,” added Victoria Maciunas, of West Philadelphia. “We need a Leo in our time.”
The last pope to take the name Leo was the pontiff from 1878 until his death in 1903. During that time, Leo XIII became known as “Pope of the Workers” and the “Social Pope” for outlining his support for the rights of workers, fair wages, safe working conditions, and the establishment of trade unions. He also stood against communism and laissez-faire capitalism.
In a statement released by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Archbishop Nelson Perez celebrated Prevost’s local ties. Just last year, Prevost was leading the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, a commission that Perez served on.
“I witnessed firsthand a wonderful, gentle, humble and spiritual man of God who is a true gift to the world,” said Perez. “Pope Leo XIV will be a pastor not just for Catholics but for every person of goodwill. He is a man of deep faith and extraordinary intellectual ability who understands the pastoral needs of our richly diverse church as well as the challenges of our modern society.”
Perez learned of the pontiff news upon returning from Rome. He remembered that a young Prevost once worked with the Philadelphia Archdiocese — he was a cemetery groundskeeper at St. Denis parish in Havertown.
“His papacy will be marked by a desire to have the church face outward, carrying that spirit of missionary disciples that Pope Francis had given the church as a great gift,” Perez added.
From Mayfair to Rome
While most Philadelphia Catholics celebrated Pope Leo XIV either at church or among loved ones in the region, Judee Czyzewski from Mayfair was in Rome traveling with her son and in-laws when the news broke.
They were emerging from a cab when the announcement went out that Prevost was the new pope. Czyzewski equated the scenes they saw to that of the Eagles’ most recent Super Bowl parade.
“We were just stunned, and people were clapping, lots of nearby church bells were ringing. That’s all you could hear,” she said.
It got more stunning when Czyzewski learned Prevost was American.
“It's such a historic event anyway, but then when it's an American pope, the first American pope, it's amazing,” she said. “I just feel like my heart is full. I'm very happy.”
Czyzewski hopes Leo XIV continues the compassionate leadership of Pope Francis, which helped solidify her faith.
“I'm hoping they're going to kind of bring us a little bit forward,” she said. “I kind of feel like in the United States, we are a little more progressive. We are tolerating of everything and everybody.”