But quite unexpectedly, Pope Leo is the first pope from the United States. This distinction, while undoubtedly a bit pedantic, is made even more important by the fact that the Holy Father spent a lot of time in South America. Specifically, he served as bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru from 2014-2023. Prior to that, he served quite a few years in Peru as a priest, making him truly a pope from the Americas.
Leo is the second man in a row chosen to walk in the shoes of the Galilean fisherman belonging to a religious order. Pope Francis, of course, was a member of the Society of Jesus (i.e., the Jesuits). Just like the consensus was that no one from the U.S. could become the Roman Pontiff, it was previously asserted that no Jesuit could be chosen.
Pope Leo is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine (i.e., the Augustinians). Like Pope Francis, Pope Leo served his order as a Provincial. Unlike Francis, he served two terms in Rome as worldwide head of the Augustinians.
Besides growing up there, between his various tenures in Peru and Rome, Pope Leo spent time in Chicago. While Pope Francis was the first Jesuit to become Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo is the sixth Augustinian pontiff. Of Saint Peter's 267 successors, thirty-four have belonged to religious orders. Prior to Pope Francis, the last religious to be pope was Gregory XVI, a Camaldolese monk, who served from 1831-1846.
Pope Leo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Villanova University. Born in 1955, he is the first pope born after World War II. Ordained a priest in 1982 he is, after Francis, the second pope ordained a priest after the Second Vatican Council. In high school (like me) he participated in speech and debate. I wonder if he, too, earned the National Forensic League's (now the National Speech and Debate Association) double ruby award? I mention this because it is one of my proudest high school achievements!
Contrary to initial reports that he is a Cubs fan, according to his brother, John, His Holiness is a White Sox fan.
Pope Leo XIV, Getty Images used under Fair Use provision
Leo's being a pope from the Americas was highlighted by the fact that in speaking his first words as Roman Pontiff, the only language he spoke other than Italian was Spanish, which is a departure from the norm.
Breaking with custom, Pope Leo initially read prepared remarks but quickly went extemporaneous in Italian. In another break, he switched from Italian to Spanish, as noted above. He did so to greet those from his former diocese in Peru. Then, returning to Italian, the Holy Father noted that May 8 is the feast of Our Lady of Pompeii. He then led the pilgrims in praying the Hail Mary.
Making a bit of a nerdy liturgical point, I love that he donned the summer version of the papal mozetta for his first appearance. Dare I hope for a return of the red shoes? Red shoes, after all, are meant to symbolize the blood of the martyrs, not just a stylistic affectation.
If his first appearance is anything to go by, he seems comfortable in his own skin with simply being who he is. By all accounts, one from a priest friend who knew him in Chicago, he is reserved and quiet. He didn't try to be Pope Francis and seemed fine being himself. Authenticity matters.
One of the best things in watching events unfold in Saint Peter's Square after white smoke appeared, was seeing the Catholicity of the Church on display in such an amazing way. The joy of the pilgrims came through screen. This excitement is or at least should be the Church: Evangelii gaudium, to borrow a Latin phrase. The joy of the Lord is our strength!
What a great thing to see people young and old, women and men, people from all nations and many ethnicities who speak different languages, lay people, religious, clerics rejoicing together. Through the Eucharist, we are One Body. It is through the Eucharist that we have communion, through our own bishops, with the Bishop of Rome, who presides in charity over Christ's Church.
I admit to being utterly surprised by the selection of a Cardinal from the U.S. to be Bishop of Rome. Above all, I am grateful that we have a Pope. Because nothing is complete until the Lord returns, all papacies end with mixed results and all popes leave unfinished business.
For what it's worth, Pope Leo XIV is the third pope since the launch of Καθολικός διάκονος in the summer of 2005. I look forward to serving at Mass tomorrow morning and hearing "together with Leo our pope and Oscar our Bishop" in the Eucharistic Prayer.
For obvious reasons, this is a day early but in honor of His Holiness' hometown, our Friday traditio is from those two other guys from Chicago who were also on a mission from God. You got it, Jake and Elwood Blues, "Sweet Home Chicago."
Lest we forget, in 2010, The Blues Brothers was deemed by L'Osservatore Romano as a "Catholic classic." Deal with it. Besides, I already used Palestrina's "Tu es Petrus" during the interregnum.
Lord Jesus Christ,
Good Shepherd and High Priest,
we praise you and offer you our sincere gratitude
for calling Pope Leo
to serve as the shepherd of the universal church.
May he lead us as a loving shepherd
who cares for his flock and seeks out the lost sheep.
May he be for us a gentle and listening father,
a faithful teacher and a steward of your sacred mysteries.
Grant him health, strength, and wisdom.
Strengthen the bonds of unity among us
so that we may serve you as one body.
Purify us and sustain us in charity for your love for us never fails.
Grant that we may boldly answer your call to mission.
You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.
Amen.
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