When white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday, Catholics worldwide held their breath.
But no one was more surprised than Chicagoans when Cardinal Robert Prevost, a son of the Windy City, was elected Pope Leo XIV — the first USA-born Pontiff in history.
Historic selection stuns Catholics of USA
When the white smoke emerged, we spent the next hour on the edge of our seats, praying “Come, Holy Spirit!” while frantically checking the live feed.
Like the rest of the world, I couldn’t stop wondering, “Where will the new pope be from?” A list of countries ran through my mind, along with the names of cardinals from South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
But not from North America. “The world isn’t ready for a U.S. pope,” I thought. “That won’t happen for hundreds of years. Not in my lifetime.”
Well, I‘ve never been happier to be so completely wrong. The 267th Pontiff isn't just from North America — he's from my hometown!
He grew up in Dolton, just south of the city limits, and studied at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
Pope Leo XIV is the youngest of three boys — Louis, John, and Robert — born to Louis Prevost, an educator, and Mildred Martinez, a school librarian. With relatable local roots, Pope Leo cheers for the White Sox and stops for Aurelio's Chicago-style pizza on visits back home.
And predictably, Chicago is going wild for him. Local leaders and newspapers issued warm messages of congratulations, while locals are having too much fun joking about “Daaa Pope” who, like the Blues Brothers, is “on a mission from God” and might just teach Italy a thing or two about pizza (and word is the White Sox already sent a congratulatory gift box).
A calling from childhood
While most of the world was in shock at his election, those who remember a young future Pope Leo XIV were less surprised.
Wildly enough, neighbors who knew him well as a child predicted decades ago that he had what it takes to become the first pope of the USA.
His brother, John Prevost, a retired Catholic school principal living in New Lenox, Illinois, said:
When he was in first grade, a woman across the street, that we used to play with [her] kids, and a woman down the street said he would be the first American pope.
Their prediction seemed well-founded. Even at just six or seven years old, young Robert knew he wanted to be a priest:
While growing up in the Chicago area, Robert Prevost often played “pretend priest,” his older brother John Prevost recalled. The younger brother would set up a table draped in a white cloth and reenact the Holy Mass. John recalled, “He did that all the time. He took it totally serious, it was not a game.”
The oldest brother, Louis Prevost, said his brother seemed to always know his calling. When he was as young as 4 or 5, the family suspected he was destined for great things in the Catholic Church. While his brothers were playing cops and robbers, Leo would “play priest” and distribute Holy Communion with Necco wafers.
“We used to tease him all the time — you’re going to be the pope one day,” he said. “Neighbors said the same thing. Sixty-some years later, here we are.”
“He was the pride and joy of every priest and nun in school,” a former classmate recalled. “Everybody knew he was special."
Deep Chicago roots and a historic connection
Pope Leo XIV was raised in a family where life centered around St. Mary of the Assumption Church at the Chicago-Dolton border. Robert served as an altar boy and attended the parish school.
His connection to Chicago education stayed strong through his brother John, who served as principal at St. Gabriel Catholic School from 1993 to 2004 and again in 2015.
The school, one of the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago, honored the special connection with this message:
A Historic Moment for St. Gabriel Catholic School! We are overjoyed and proud to share that the newly elected Pope, Leo XIV—formerly Robert Francis Prevost—is the brother of one of St. Gabriel’s very best, Mr. Prevost!
Mr. Prevost served as principal of our school from 1993 to 2004, and again in 2015, leaving a lasting legacy of faith-filled leadership, compassion, and commitment to our students. Many in our community will also remember that Pope Leo XIV himself visited St. Gabriel Church in 2015, confirming students and celebrating Mass as a bishop—moments we now treasure even more deeply.
Who would’ve thought our little school in Canaryville, Chicago, would one day be connected to the Vatican in such a profound way?
Known for joy amid challenges
Those who worked alongside Prevost before his papal election describe a man of remarkable character. “No matter how many problems he has, he maintains good humor and joy,” said a former colleague. Friends said he is the kind of person who relishes a challenge.
As John Prevost tries to process his brother's historic ascension, he described being overwhelmed by calls, emails, and texts. The reality of having a brother who now leads 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide is still sinking in for the Prevosts — and for the city that proudly claims him as one of our own.
For Chicago Catholics and Americans across the nation, the election is the beginning of a fascinating new chapter. While we continue to cherish the tradition and continuity that makes us who we are as a global Church, there is something refreshing about an unprecedented pope — especially one with Midwestern roots.
