SCHERERVILLE – How much do you know about Pope Leo XIV?
Guests at the Theology Uncorked program on July 10 at St. Michael the Archangel learned all about the first U.S.-born pontiff thanks to Diocese of Gary seminarian Leo Marcotte.
Marcotte, assigned to the Schererville parish this summer, was charged with preparing a presentation on the 257th pope, elected at the Vatican on May 8 by the conclave of cardinals, several weeks ago. “I was apprehensive that, because he was so new, there wouldn’t be a lot of material, but I found more than 70 sources to study, and then the challenge became condensing it into a manageable program,” said Marcotte, who will return to Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minn. for his fourth and final year of college.
“It’s been a blessing and an honor to learn about him and to bring his story to you,” Marcotte told his audience of about 100, who began the evening with a social hour that included snacks and beverages.
“He was born Robert Francis Prevost in 1955 in Chicago to Louis and Mildred Prevost, and has two brothers, John and Louis,” said Marcotte. “His father was a WWII veteran and educator, and his mother was a librarian and a church woman. Theirs was a joy-filled Catholic home with prayers before all meals and songs.
“While his brothers played cowboys and Indians, (Bob) just wanted to play priest. His brothers teased him by saying, ‘You’re so holy that you are going to be pope someday.’”
That future pope, by then living in Dolton, Ill. with his family, attended St. Mary of the Assumption Grammar School, where he attended a Latin Mass daily and was a choir member and altar boy. He next attended St. Augustine Seminary High School (1969-73), where he was active in everything from bowling to library club, student council to the yearbook staff. “He was known for his dry sense of humor,” added Marcotte, who was also born in Chicago in 1955.
“He majored in mathematics at Villanova University and earned a Masters of Divinity from Chicago Theological Union, then professed his Augustinian vows in 1981 and was ordained to the priesthood (as a member of the Order of St. Augustine) in 1982,” said Marcotte.
From 1988 to 2001, Father Prevost served as a missionary in Peru, teaching at the Trujillo seminary and serving in pastoral ministry and as a judicial vicar, said Marcotte, “and he delivered aid by truck and on horseback.
“He never wanted to go beyond what the Lord wanted of him,” added his younger biographer. “Appointed Prior General of the entire Augustinian order in 2001, he visited missions in Asia, Africa and Latin America.”
He was installed as a bishop in 2013 by Pope Francis, returned to Peru for a time, and became prefect of the dicastery in 2023, as well as being named a cardinal deacon (an administrative post). Earlier this year, Pope Francis named him a cardinal bishop.
Upon the death of Pope Francis on April 21, “the biggest conclave ever” met May 7 and “it only took two days and four votes to elect the 257th Bishop of Rome,” who took the name Pope Leo XIV, Marcotte noted.
Known as “a bridge builder, seeking peace through Christ,” he added, the new pope follows in the footsteps of the first pope with that name, Leo the Great, “who invited Attila the Hun to lunch and convinced him not to pillage Rome,” showing his bridge-building skills.
“He immediately offered the Vatican as a place for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, and made it clear he wants peace,” said attendee Rose Frampton. “He’s not a people-pleaser, but is going to do what’s right, and I appreciate that.”
Pam Vergn-Green said what she likes best about the new U.S.-born pope is that “he talks clearly and is more true to the original Church,” while Connie Solorio said, “I love his love of God and his warmth. He wants peace and is bringing young people (into the discussions). We need him.”
Displaying a sketch of Pope Leo XIV’s coat of arms, Marcotte explained its details, including a simple mitre at the top instead of a papal tiara, and a flaming heart representing the Augustinian spirituality.
His Latin motto is In illo Uno unum, meaning “In the One, we are one” and is taken from the writings of St. Augustine, expressing the idea that Christians are united in Jesus.
Deacon Gary Wolfe praised Pope Leo’s “lack of ambiguity” in his statements. “That clarity is so important to those who listen to him and I experience that in my ministry.”
Mick Adamson echoed that sentiment. “So far, you can understand him – he talks like a parish priest, and I think he understands what’s happening in the U.S.,” Adamson said.
“I appreciate his perspective because of his background not only growing up in the U.S., but serving in South America. He can make more aware of our surroundings,” said Meghan Germek.
“Pope Leo’s views thus far, which I’ve taken from his own quotes, and not secondary sources,” said Marcotte, “reflect peace through Christ … as the sole reason for our being.” He has also spoken of synodality, “a Church that listens and walks together,” critiqued materialism and showed support for immigration that allows open borders and fights nationalism.
Marcotte also noted that the new pope has expressed respect for episcopal conferences that address LGBTQ+ issues with “gentle outreach,” and spoken of “environmental and social justice priorities” that include pollution, nuclear waste and war.
“He embodies the bridge to Christ,” concluded Marcotte. “I ask that we continue to pray for the pope. God bless Pope Leo XIV and you.”
Caption: Guest speaker Leo Marquette (standing), a Diocese of Gary seminarian, chats with the Usdowski family, (from left) Rich, his father Rich, and mother, Shery, and wife Lynne with baby Annie, before the Theology Uncorked program on Pope Leo XIV at St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville on July 10. The younger Usdowski’s St. Michael parishioners, invited the elder Usdowski’s, who attend St. Mary in Griffith, to the evening event featuring food, fellowship and an educational program. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
