GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The brand new pope spent a few of his youthful years attending a Catholic prep college in Allegan County, native Catholic leaders say.
Bishop Edward Lohse of the Diocese of Kalamazoo mentioned he beforehand met the brand new Pope Leo XIV — then Robert Francis Prevost, a local of Chicago — whereas attending a bishops’ college in Vatican Metropolis.
“He said, ‘I went to high school in the diocese,’ that he was studying as a high school student in this diocese when the diocese was established and he used to help at our parishes,” Lohse instructed Information 8.
Robert Prevost elected the primary American pope in historical past, will take the identify Leo XIV
Diocesan leaders didn’t know the identify of the minor seminary at which Leo studied, however mentioned it was a part of the Augustinian order. Leo is a member of that order.
The Saint Augustine Seminary, a prep college for Catholics, was on the Felt Mansion between Holland and Saugatuck. The mansion is now a venue and museum. Archives of the Holland Night Sentinel from October 1972 reference Robert Prevost as a senior at Saint Augustine Seminary Excessive College. The Holland Sentinel coated a reunion for the college in 2013 and on the time listed Prevost as a graduate of the category of 1973.
Pope Leo went on to get a bachelor’s diploma from Villanova College after which went to seminary on the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago to get his grasp’s of divinity. He was ordained in 1982.
After white smoke rose from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel Thursday, signaling the choice of a brand new pope, Bishop Loshe was listening because the identify of the brand new pope was learn out.
“As soon as they said ‘Robertum,’ I was thinking I only knew one guy in the running named whose name was Robert. So it was Cardinal Prevost, who is a wonderful man,” Lohse mentioned, describing the brand new pope as “kind” and “very down to earth.”
He mentioned although his assembly with Leo was temporary, it was an expertise that stayed with him.
“There are times when you just meet somebody and get the sense that this is a really good person,” Lohse mentioned.
Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, overcame a taboo in opposition to a US pontiff
Tyler Stuut, who discovered the brand new pope had been picked throughout midday Mass on the Cathedral of St. Augustine Cathedral, mentioned he had trusted in his religion as he waited together with hundreds of thousands of different Catholics around the globe for the cardinals to decide on the subsequent chief of the church. He mentioned he is eager for the longer term.
“We just hope that people will continue to want to come and join the church, be faithful Catholics and just have excitement and joy in the Holy Spirit,” he mentioned. “We’re just excited.”
The Diocese of Grand Rapids says it has three seminarians learning in Rome, not less than two of whom have been in St. Peter’s Sq. as Leo addressed the devoted for the primary time as pope.
A Grand Rapids seminarian at St. Peter’s Sq. in Vatican Metropolis forward of the election of Pope Leo XIV on Could 8, 2025. (Courtesy Diocese of Grand Rapids)
White smoke is seen coming from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel from St. Peter’s Sq. in Vatican Metropolis, signaling the election of Pope Leo XIV on Could 8, 2025. (Courtesy Diocese of Grand Rapids)
St. Peter’s Sq. in Vatican Metropolis on the day of the election of Pope Leo XIV on Could 8, 2025. (Courtesy Diocese of Grand Rapids)
In a press release launched by the Grand Rapids diocese, Bishop David Walkoviak celebrated the choice of the brand new pope.
“Today is a historic moment not only for our Universal Church, but particularly for the Church in the United States as we witness an American elected as the Successor of St. Peter for the first time. In a special way, we give thanks and count our blessings for a pope with deep ties to the Midwest,” Walkowiak wrote.
He requested the devoted to wish for Leo and work for a united church, referencing Leo’s first handle.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids will host a thanksgiving Mass celebrating the choice of the brand new pope at 12:05 p.m. Friday on the Cathedral of Saint Andrew.
The Diocese of Kalamazoo will host its thanksgiving Mass at St. Augustine at 5:30 p.m. Could 19.
