Catholic Theological Union members head to Rome for Pope Leo XIV’s formal installation

CHICAGO (WGN) — Another milestone for Chicago’s pope as Leo XIV is set to be formally installed in Rome Sunday.   

Among the attendees will be members of Hyde Park’s Catholic Theological Union (CTU), which has close ties to the new pope. Pope Leo XIV graduated with a Master’s in Divinity from CTU. Soon, the Chicagoans will be boarding a flight to Rome to witness history Sunday in St. Peter’s Square. 

“It’s a ceremony, confirming in a public way with the Eucharist, with the mass, the ministry of Peter,” said Father John Lydon, a close friend of Pope Leo. 

“In that ceremony, he receives the ‘Ring of Peter.’ If it does happen, we will be thrilled to bits.” 

Chicago Theological Union president Sister Barbara Reid is also headed to Rome. While she says a face-to-face meeting is not likely, she’s hoping Pope Leo will send a message back home to the Chicago Theological Union community. 

“I’m hoping we may be able to record a moment with him, but I will understand if there are an awful lot of other people trying to get his attention,” Reid said.

Chicago Theological Union attendees will spend three short days in Vatican City before returning on Monday.