Catholic Theological Union celebrates as one of their own is elected pope

CHICAGO — Robert Francis Prevost was elected the new pope Thursday. Pope Leo XVI as he is now known was born in Chicago in 1955.

He attended grade school at the Old St. Mary Catholic School in Chicago, which is now closed. 

Decades ago, Prevost returned to his hometown of Chicago and the Catholic Theological Union.

Prevost earned his Masters in Divinity there in 1982.

Those who have followed in his footsteps here said they are thrilled to see an Augustinian leading the church.

 “I will confess I never dreamed we would be having this conversation,” Sister Barbara Reid, president of Chicago Catholic Theological Union said.

The Hyde Park building across the street from where the present-day Catholic Theological Union is located if  where a Prevost earned his masters.

Later on, he was assigned to Peru, where the Augustinian priest, who is fluent in multiple languages, developed a world-wide view of the modern church. 

Faculty, staff and students gathered for a watch party Thursday and were thrilled to witness the historic moment .when the new pope walked out on the balcony at St. Peter’s Square. 

Augustinian Brother Frank Connor said he hope the new pope can held the world racked by war and conflict.  

“Having a great pope from here in Chicago in the United States can really speak to that and help people in a big way,” he said.