News of a new pope has Catholics celebrating everywhere, but Pope Leo XIV being from the Chicago area has La Grange leaders proud and excited.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, selected after a two-day conclave, chose as his name Leo XIV, the late 19th Century pontiff known for his devotion to social justice.
“I would say that we are just thrilled that not only a person from America, but from the Chicagoland area adds an extra layer of excitement to it,” said Deborah Tracy, president of Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park. “He seems like a person who will carry out many of the actions, hopes and dreams of Pope Francis.”
Tracy, a 1982 Nazareth alumna, said Prevost’s time in Latin America and the general consensus that he will continue Pope Francis’ commitment to social justice inspires her.
“So much of the mission of Nazareth and the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph was something that really resonated with the things that Pope Francis was trying to do in building bridges and caring for the dear neighbor and caring for those marginalized in our society,” she said. “It sounds like Pope Leo will be doing the same thing. We’re just so happy about that because it seems like who we are.”
Prevost, 69, was born at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, and raised in south suburban Dolton. He grew up in St. Mary of the Assumption parish, where he went to school.
La Grange Village Trustee Lou Gale also hails from the south suburbs.
“It’s wonderful that we have a pope not just from the United States, but from the same area of myself and my extended family,” Gale said. “It’s great to hear about his connections to New Lenox, where my parents lived after I left home.”
La Grange Park Village Trustee Joe Caputo said he thought the new pope would be good for the Chicago area.
“Sadly Chicago gets a bad rap for its violence and sometimes politics,” Caputo said, pointing out the bad press the city received from people like Al Capone, high crime rates and crooked politicians.
“So I’m kind of hopeful that this will be a positive for the city and the state,” he said. “I think the new pope will be a good symbol for Chicago and Illinois trying to turn it around and get some good recognition.”
Although initial reports were that Pope Leo XIV was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, his older brother corrected that impression, stresing he was a longtime White Sox fan. Maggie Jarr, La Grange Park assistant village manager, took that as a hopeful sign.
“White Sox fans can only benefit from the new pope’s devotion to lifting up those who suffer,” Jarr said.
U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, a Democrat whose district includes the area, also noted the new pope’s connection to Latin American.
“Latin America has the most Catholics in the world, and Pope Leo XIV’s knowledge of the region, the time he spent in Peru and his fluency in the Spanish language will be key qualities that will endear him to Latinos in the United States and Latin Americans alike,” Garcia said.
Prevost attended St. Augustine Seminary High School in Michigan before earning a bachelor’s degree in science and math from Villanova University, an Augustinian college.
Prevost also obtained a master of divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, after which he taught physics and math at St. Rita High School.
He joined the Augustinian Mission in Peru in 1988 and spent a decade there serving as judge, prefect of studies, and teaching canon law in the seminary.
Garcia also noted Prevost’s status as an honorary St. Rita High School Mustang.
“As a Catholic and an immigrant, I am encouraged by the stances Cardinal Prevost has taken in defense of immigrants, and by his views on the poor and the environment,” Garcia said.
