As white smoke billowed from the Vatican, the yellow pope flag fluttered against the backdrop of Michigan’s crisp lakes near Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy, situated on Chicago’s north side.
“Habemus Papam!” echoed through the cafeteria of the Catholic school on Thursday, signaling the announcement that Chicago’s Robert Prevost had been named Pope Leo XIV.
Prevost, originally from Chicago’s South Side, started his education at St. Mary of the Assumption and later studied divinity at the Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park. He also taught at a local Catholic high school.
Even though he spent time in Peru as a missionary, residents back in Chicago celebrated their native son’s elevation to papacy in various urban churches and schools.
In the cafeteria at Mount Carmel, seventh grader Vincent Wall and eighth grader Ava Broz reflected on the significance of the moment. “It feels a bit like the 2016 Cubs World Series,” Wall remarked, referencing the team’s long-awaited victory.
Allison Forster, a Spanish and religion teacher, was having lunch when she noticed students climbing onto their desks, glued to live feeds displaying the swirling white smoke. She discovered the identity of the new Pope amid this chaos.
“I was trying to keep an eye on kids playing soccer, with five of them making it tricky to look at my phone behind me,” Forster commented.
Just days before, Wall and Broz had participated in a mock conclave at school, with younger students dressed in robe-like attire and makeshift hats gathering in the auditorium to debate who should be Pope. They even had a mini security guard dressed in an Italian suit for added effect.
“It was definitely a joyful occasion, a reason to celebrate,” Forster noted.
Chicago’s Catholic community has deep roots, similar to that in cities like Boston. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, immigrants from various European nations formed a rich tapestry of parishes. Today, church spires seem to blend into the city’s skyline alongside Art Deco buildings and towering skyscrapers.
However, the Chicago archdiocese has faced challenges similar to those plaguing churches across America. Recently, it announced plans to reduce the number of parishes by 123 due to financial strains and declining attendance. Data indicated that the number of Chicago residents identifying as Christians declined by 12% over the past decade.
Amidst ongoing sexual abuse scandals and rising secularism in America, Thursday’s announcement about the new Pope breathed fresh energy into the city. Local hot dog vendor Ragen Eggert quipped, “It’s officially a sin to have ketchup on a hot dog.”
At the historic Holy Name Cathedral, built after Chicago’s great fire in 1871, locals and tourists paused to pray and recognize the significance of having an American Pope.
Janet Fink, a parishioner, expressed her hope that Leo would carry on Pope Francis’ legacy. “I loved him [Francis]. He embraced the poor and the oppressed; he was the people’s pope,” she said, adding that it was astonishing to see a papal figure hailing from Chicago, especially since there had been hesitation in the past about choosing an American.
“It’s incredible. I never thought it would happen in my lifetime,” Fink shared. “I believe the Church is listening, and I hope they continue to make progress.”
Young Catholics like Clara Downey, a 24-year-old doctoral student at Loyola University, exhibited excitement as well. She had been waking up at 3:30 a.m. for updates on the Vatican. Downey acknowledged that Lee might lean more moderate than Pope Francis but felt confident in his abilities, especially considering Francis had appointed him as Governor over bishops.
“Great news about Bob Prevost. He’s a solid choice,” Downey remarked. “I think the university will reflect Francis’ vision moving forward.”
Much like Francis, Leo seems poised to become a widely talked-about figure, especially in Chicago.
For some, the announcement provided a new spark of interest in the Church. Kara Baike, visiting to celebrate her daughter’s graduation from Loyola, noted her family didn’t typically follow religious practices, but felt encouraged by Pope Francis’ approach. She expressed concern about the political climate and hoped to find a Catholic church to pray for the nation.
“It feels almost magical to be in Chicago today,” Baike stated. “I really hope this Pope guides us toward a better path for our country.”
