Photograph courtesy of Frayjhonattan
The Rev. Robert Prevost, a local of Chicago, on Thursday was named the brand new pope of the Catholic Church, taking the title Pope Leo XIV.
Because the pink velvet curtains on the Vatican parted, a priest realized that his school pal from the South Aspect of Chicago that he is aware of as “Bob” had been elected the primary American pope.
“Oh, expensive God,” the Very Rev. Anthony Benedetto Pizzo, the prior provincial of the Augustinian Order in Chicago, mentioned as he heard the information.
Pizzo knew Robert Prevost may very well be named Pope, nevertheless it was an outdoor likelihood. Prevost was simply named cardinal in 2023. Pope Francis named Prevost the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, whose job it’s to vet potential bishops. His title had come up a couple of instances to succeed Pope Francis, Pizzo mentioned, however he wasn’t a named favourite.
“We had been ready with bated breath to see what would occur,” Pizzo mentioned, talking from Southern Italy, in an interview with Capitol Information Illinois.
Pizzo watched as his good friend was launched to the world as Pope Leo XIV. It was the identical man he knew in school, seminary and all through his profession — a person devoted to his religion and his pals.
Pizzo deliberate to journey to Rome on Friday however was uncertain whether or not he would see his outdated good friend. He had identified Prevost for the reason that males had been undergraduates learning at Villanova College in Philadelphia.
Prevost was one among three brothers residing in Dolton on the far South Aspect. One brother stays in Chicago. The opposite lives in Florida. His father, a World Battle II veteran, was a trainer and faculty administrator, Pizzo mentioned. His mom was a librarian.
Younger Robert Prevost attended St. Mary of the Assumption Church, positioned on the Chicago-Dolton border, serving as an altar boy and attending the parish faculty.
Photograph courtesy Order of St. Augustine
Rev. Anthony Benedetto Pizzo.
“Bob is such a very good good friend. He was there all through my life,” Pizzo mentioned. “He was there once I made my vows, the loss of life of my mother and father and my set up as a pastor.”
The person who would grow to be pope likes to drive and loved lengthy treks, driving backwards and forwards to varsity with Pizzo, who described him as very open and a very good companion.
Pizzo mentioned his good friend is right down to earth, outgoing and well-rounded.
“He was very devoted and utilized himself in all that he did,” Pizzo mentioned.
The 2 males attended the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1977. The brand new pope obtained a Grasp of Divinity diploma.
Prevost started doing missionary work in Peru in 1985, serving in varied roles together with parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary trainer and administrator. He led an Augustinian seminary for a decade.
From 2001-2013, he served as prior basic of the Order of Saint Augustine. He was succeeded by his good friend, Pizzo, who continues to serve within the function. In 2014, the younger man who grew up in Chicago was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru.
He grew to become a Peruvian citizen in 2015.
Prevost chosen his title after Pope Leo XII, who was well-known for his 1891 treatise that outlined rights of staff to a good wage, secure working circumstances and the formation of commerce unions.
When Prevost grew to become a cardinal in 2023, Sister Barbara Reid, president of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, was in attendance. On Thursday, after the announcement, issues acquired hectic at CTU.
Patrick Bittorf, vice chairman for growth at CTU, was fielding calls and requests for media interviews.
“Nicely, we graduated a pope!” he mentioned.
Pizzo mentioned he hopes his good friend receives all of the assist he wants in his new function and that he continues to be as attentive as he has been, counting on God’s grace.
And does the brand new pope have a favourite Chicago baseball crew? Pizzo mentioned his good friend is from the South Aspect and was seemingly a White Sox fan, however then demurred.
“I imply, we by no means went to a sport or something, however I might assume …”
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