Pope Leo XIV election marks ‘super happy day’ for Catholics, according to Villanova professor
As the world held its breath, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti stood before a sea of tens of thousands of teary-eyed viewers in St. Peter’s Square to introduce Catholics and non-faithful to the newest pontiff. On May 8, 2025, American Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, was elected to take the papal seat and succeed the deceased Pope Francis after four rounds of conclave voting by 133 members of the College of Cardinals.
The announcement of the first American pope sent shockwaves throughout the Catholic community and beyond. The small town of Chicago, where Pope Leo XIV hails from, was beaming with pride for their hometown hero. Among the jubilant crowd celebrating the historic moment was Patrick Brennan, chair of Catholic Legal Studies at Villanova University. Brennan, a Villanova graduate himself, expressed his elation at the news.
“It’s a super-happy day for all Catholics to have a new pope,” Brennan told Fox News Digital. “I was sitting in the studio when I discovered, as everyone else did, that it was a Villanova graduate who was now the pope.”
Pope Leo XIV’s connection to Villanova University, where he graduated in 1977, added an extra layer of significance to his election. The Augustinian religious order, to which Pope Leo XIV belongs, has a long history of serving the Catholic Church. Despite not being as well-known in the United States as the Jesuits, the Augustinians have played a vital role in the American church.
The Augustinians founded Villanova University in 1842, where the small Catholic liberal arts college has a strong tradition of academic excellence and Catholic values. Pope Leo XIV’s education at Villanova shaped his spiritual beliefs and prepared him for the momentous role he now holds.
Pope Leo XIV’s election as the first American pontiff was met with congratulatory messages from world leaders and the Catholic faithful. His humble demeanor and traditional piety have endeared him to many, symbolizing a return to the roots of Catholicism.
In choosing the name Leo XIV, Pope Leo XIV pays homage to a pope who left a lasting legacy of understanding the place of the Catholic Church in the modern world. By embracing this historical connection, Pope Leo XIV aims to provide new light and understanding for a world that is constantly evolving.
As the world eagerly awaits the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, his humble beginnings in Chicago and his education at Villanova University serve as a testament to his deep-rooted faith and commitment to the Catholic Church. With a heart full of hope and a spirit of humility, Pope Leo XIV embarks on a new chapter as the Vicar of Christ, ready to guide the faithful through the challenges of the modern world.
