The College Fix

Villanova president plans to invite new pope for commencement speech next year

The election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff and a Villanova University alumnus, has sparked a mix of shock and celebration among university faculty. 

One Villanova professor attributed Leo’s election to what he called the “Trump effect,” while a conservative Catholic University of America professor told The Fix he is “cautiously optimistic” about the Church’s new leader. 

Pope Leo XIV, elected the 267th head of the Catholic Church, was born in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to being the first pope from the U.S., he is also the first Augustinian friar to lead the Church.

Villanova Assistant Professor Jaisy Joseph told Catholic News Agency that hearing the news of Leo’s election was a “surreal” moment on campus.

“From the announcement onwards, the church bells were ringing nonstop in celebration,” Joseph said. “Students, faculty, and staff transition from shock to tears to joy.”

Massimo Faggioli, a papal expert and theology professor at the school, said that while the idea of a U.S. pope once seemed unthinkable, the “Trump effect” turned it into reality.

“The United States is a great uncertainty for the Vatican … And electing a pope from the [U.S.] is one way for the Vatican to explore what this new America means for the world and for the church,” Faggioli said.

Meanwhile, Villanova President Peter Donohue celebrated Leo’s election in a message to the university, according to the school.

“Villanova, built on the teachings of St. Augustine, has always been grounded in advancing a deeper understanding of the fundamental relationship between faith and reason—between spirituality and wisdom,” Donohue stated.

“With today’s election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, I cannot help but reflect on what his Augustinian papacy will mean to our University community and our world. Known for his humility, gentle spirit, prudence and warmth, Pope Leo XIV’s leadership offers an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to our educational mission,” he stated.

Donohue told TIME Magazine he emailed Pope Leo XIV at his personal address, beginning the message with, “Bob,” before correcting himself to say, “I guess I should say Your Holiness.” He told the pope that the university was praying for him.

Donohue also told TIME he is going to see if he can get Pope Leo XIV to give a commencement speech at next year’s graduation.

Leo was a classmate of Donohue, studying math just two grades below him, WJBF News reported.

As a student, Leo helped found a pro-life group on campus in the 1970s. It “continues to be one of Students for Life of America’s leading campus groups,” Students for Life of America reported.

University faculty across the country have also weighed in on the pope’s election.

William Cavanaugh, a professor of Catholic studies at DePaul University, told CBS Chicago he was “stunned,” as he thought there would never be an American pope.

“You don’t want to have a pope from the center of power; you want to go to the peripheries. But the more I’ve learned about him, the more delighted I am about it,” Cavanaugh said.

He also said he and his colleagues are excited by the pope’s connection to DePaul, as his mother was a graduate of the university.

However, the faculty are mostly “delighted because he seems to be in continuity with Pope Francis” and “the forward-looking church,” Cavanaugh said.

Bradon Peterson, a professor of religious studies at the University of Utah said Pope Leo has “drawn a lot of the same ideas and themes vocabulary that Francis used,” such as “reaching out to everyone that the church is everyone,” according to KUTV. 

However, CUA Professor Michael New told The College Fix via email he is “unsure that … the Pope will emphasize ‘social justice’ issues or continue the legacy of Pope Francis.”

“I am cautiously optimistic about Pope Leo XIV. As someone who grew up in Chicago and attended college at Villanova, he has a good understanding of U.S. Catholics,” New said.

“Faithful Catholics in the United States likely place a higher priority on sanctity of life issues and other social issues than Catholics in other parts of the world. This does not necessarily mean that Pope Leo XIV will prioritize those issues. However, the fact that he likely understands and appreciates the concerns of American Catholics will be beneficial,” New said.

MORE: College Fix editor discusses new Pope Leo XIV

IMAGE CREDIT AND CAPTION: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is announced as the new pope; FOX 11 Los Angeles/Youtube

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