As Pope Leo XIV settles into his new job in the Vatican, Catholics everywhere continue to celebrate, including in the La Grange area.
And the fact that Leo XIV is the first American chosen for the job and has lots of ties to the Chicago area has La Grange leaders proud and excited.
U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who represents the area in Congress, hailed Prevost’s selection in a statement.
“I am rejoiced by the election of fellow Chicagoan and honorary St. Rita High School Mustang as the new leader of the Catholic Church,” he said. “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. 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.”
Prevost, 69, was born at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, and raised in south suburban Dolton. He grew up in the parish of St. Mary of the Assumption, where he went to 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.
His time in Latin America and the general consensus that he will continue Pope Francis’ commitment to social justice inspired Nazareth Academy President Deborah Tracy.
“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,” Tracy said. “He seems like a person who will carry out many of the actions, hopes and dreams of Pope Francis.
“I think there will be continuity. 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 … just being open to all. 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.”
La Grange Trustee Lou Gale, a native of the South Suburbs, also was overjoyed with the choice of the new pontiff.
“As someone from the south suburbs of Chicago, it’s wonderful that we have a pope not just from the United States, but from the same area as myself and my extended family,” he said.
La Grange Park Trustee Joe Caputo thought the new pope Chicago ties will be good for the area.
“Sadly Chicago gets a bad rap for its violence and sometimes politics,” he said. “So I’m kind of hopeful that this will be a positive for the city and the state. 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, stressing he was a long-time 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,” she said.
La Grange President Mark Kuchler echoed Jarr’s sentiments.
“I’m thrilled that he’s a Sox fan,” he said.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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