STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—The College of Cardinals today elected Cardinal Robert Prevost, OSA, as the 267th pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.

The first American-born pope, Pope Leo XIV spent many years as a missionary in Peru before being elected head of the Order of St. Augustine. He was ordained as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2015, then named prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in 2023.

Franciscan University of Steubenville’s president, vice president for Franciscan Life, vice president for Academic Affairs, and several theology faculty members shared their prayers and reactions to the announcement of Pope Leo XIV.

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, President, Franciscan University of Steubenville: “To God be the glory! With trust in God’s providence, I rejoice with the entire Church in the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. An Augustinian friar, who has vowed to live in poverty, chastity, and obedience, our new Holy Father has served Christ and the Church in the United States, Peru, and Rome. As he now takes up leadership of the worldwide Catholic Church, I pray the Holy Spirit will use Pope Leo XIV to draw all members of the Church and the world into the saving love of Jesus.”

Father Jonathan St. André, TOR, Vice President for Franciscan Life, Franciscan University of Steubenville: “We rejoice in the election of Pope Leo XIV. In his opening address to the world, Pope Leo said that the world needs light, and he invited us to be disciples following Christ. We rejoice in his election, and we believe that through his guidance, and above all, the power of the Holy Spirit, we will move forward as disciples who reflect the light of Christ to our world.”

Dr. Stephen Hildebrand, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Theology: “How wonderful to have a pope! We thank God for Pope Leo XIV and for his ministry to make us faithful to the Gospel, to make us one in faith and love—which we so desperately need in the Church and in the world, where division has caused so much harm. And we pray for Pope Leo. May God strengthen and sustain him for this most important work.”

Dr. Ronald Bolster, Dean of the School of Theology and Philosophy: “I am grateful and humbled to witness the fruit of this ancient process whereby the Lord, through his Church, has given us a new father on earth. I join my brothers and sisters in prayer for Pope Leo XIV. May God grant him the wisdom and courage to serve his people well. It is delightful for me to have shared with so many the anticipation, the interest, the concern, the curiosity, and especially the joy of seeing God continue his work in our world in this unique institution which is the papacy. May the work of Pope Leo XIV truly be blessed by God so that through him, all his children may flourish and experience the joy of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the new life that he makes possible. God bless Pope Leo XIV!”

Dr. Jeffrey Morrow, Professor of Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville: “This is a historical moment in the Church. The cardinals have elected the first pope from the United States. We should unite ourselves in prayer for the new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.”

Dr. Jacob W. Wood, Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the PhD in Sacred Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville: “The Holy Father called us to be missionary bridge builders, and that is exactly what he embodies in himself: as an American who served as a missionary in Peru, he bridges the Global North and Global South; with his service as a cardinal in Rome he bridges the Old World and the New; and as a son of St. Augustine, he connects tradition with the missionary needs of the Church today. God bless Pope Leo XIV!”