Villanova in the Media: Pope Leo XIV

The historic election of Pope Leo XIV—formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an Augustinian and Villanova graduate—has sparked profound pride and celebration across the Villanova community and beyond. From the ringing of church bells to national headlines, the University has found itself at the heart of global attention as the alma mater of the first American pope. Below is a selection of international, national and regional media coverage highlighting Villanovans’ reactions to this momentous occasion:

Villanova President Shares His Visceral Reaction to Learning His Friend Was Elected as Pope
NBC News - Weekend TODAY
"As an Augustinian, our emphasis, our charism, is building community," Villanova University president Rev. Peter M. Donohue said. "So, I think it will be really important to [Pope Leo XIV] to bring that charism to what he does. He's been very engaged in the charism of building community."

‘He’s a Wonderful Man’: Villanova President on Newly Elected Pope Leo XIV
MSNBC – Live with Katy Tur
“The entire Villanova nation is celebrating this moment. It’s an unbelievable event for all of us and for the American Church, and the Church at large,” said Villanova University president Rev. Peter M. Donohue. “He’s a wonderful man… and a wonderful person. We are so ecstatic.”

Villanova President Emailed the New Pope. Here’s How Leo Responded
MSNBC - Reports
“It’s an incredible honor for the school, for him and for the Augustinian community,” said Villanova University president Rev. Peter M. Donohue. “[Pope XIV] is a good listener, he’s very personable, he enjoys being around people… and he has a wonderful way of engaging with people… and that is going to be really important… and he will work to bring people together and draw people in.”

'It's Still Settling In; It Doesn't Seem Possible': Donohue
ABC News – This Week
“It’s still setting in; it doesn’t seem possible…” said Villanova University president Rev. Peter M. Donohue. “For American Catholics, it was something we never really thought possible… The spirit and the energy around the announcement, when it happened, was wonderful.”

Villanova University Touts Ties to Alumnus Pope Leo XIV
CBS News - Mornings
“It’s an incredible honor for the school, for him and for the Augustinian community,” said Villanova University president Rev. Peter M. Donohue. “[Pope XIV] is a good listener, he’s very personable, he enjoys being around people… and he has a wonderful way of engaging with people… and that is going to be really important… and he will work to bring people together and draw people in.”

The Pope Is a Graduate of Villanova, Where the Church Bells Won’t Stop Ringing
The New York Times
Church bells rang out for hours on campus, and professors toasted with champagne. Congratulatory messages inundated Villanova’s president as the university celebrated its new most famous alumnus. “He has always been a very loyal Villanova alum,” the University president, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, said in a phone interview, though he lamented that he may have lost his chance to have the former cardinal as a commencement speaker. “I’m sure he’s going to be really busy now."

How Villanova Feels About Having the New Pope as an Alum
Time Magazine
Father Peter Donohue, the president of Villanova University, was having lunch with a few of the school’s alums in a Chicago restaurant on Thursday when word got out that white smoke was billowing from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new pope. But Donohue, like most other Catholics around the world, was not expecting to see Cardinal Prevost step onto the Vatican balcony and introduce himself to the world. “I practically fell off the chair,” he tells TIME.

No One Is More Excited About Pope Leo XIV Than Villanova
The Wall Street Journal
Villanova University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue called for “prayer, reflection and thoughtful discourse”—but few have been able to contain themselves since Robert Prevost, a onetime Villanova math major, stepped out onto the central balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Patrick Maggitti, Villanova’s provost, was in his campus office when he received a text saying Prevost was pope, one of more than 1,000 he would receive in the next 24 hours. “There was joy, there was bewilderment, there was awe,” he said.

Villanova University Celebrates Pope Leo XIV
ABC News – Good Morning America
Long before he made history as Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost walked through the halls on Villanova’s campus in the 1970s as a promising math major before going on to become a priest. The school is bursting with pride over its famous alumnus.

Colleague of Pope Leo XIV on New Pontiff's Character and Mission
ABC News - Live
Father Arthur Purcaro, the assistant vice president of mission and ministry with Villanova University, reflects on his relationship with newly elected Pope Leo XIV. "Pope Leo is a deeply sprititual, humble man... He cares deeply about each and every person."

To the World, He’s Pope Leo. To Friends, He’s Just ‘Bob’
The New York Times
Father Art Purcaro, an assistant vice president and adjunct professor at Villanova University, described the new pope as an unambitious person, both reserved and prayerful. “Some people would stress the reserved aspect of his personality, but that does not get across who Bob is,” he said. “Bob cares very much about people, especially those who have been left out,” he added, noting that came through in their work in Peru.

New Pope Gives Villanova University Another Reason to Cheer
Reuters
"We've been known for being the NCAA champs at three different times," said Father Kevin DePrinzio, Villanova's vice president for mission and ministry. "And we also have a pope now. That's a whole different level of wow."

Celebration at Villanova After Alumnus Named Pope
ABC News – 20/20
At Villanova University, Pope Leo's alma mater just outside Philadelphia, students taking final exams were jolted by a happy afternoon surprise. "It is unbelievable. That's all I can say," said Kathy Byrnes, vice president for student life at Villanova.

Friends of Pope Leo "Overjoyed" at His Election to the Papacy
CNN – The Lead
"We are just overjoyed. To see him walk to that balcony was like seeing a family member step up there," said Rev. Robert Hagan, prior provincial of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. "As Augustinians, we are just overjoyed the world will come to know Leo XIV as the man we already know... He is going to be a wonderful Holy Father."

Pope Leo XIV’s Longtime Friend Shares Insights on What to Expect From His Papacy
PBS NewsHour
“You don’t have to be in his company very long before you come to realize that he’s incredibly bright,” said Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A., prior provincial. “We were shocked when [Pope Leo XIV] emerged from that balcony because you just never know what's going to happen... So, we were flabbergasted by the choice and certainly so happy for the Augustinians, for our church and now for the world.”

From Villanova to the Vatican: Alma Mater is Floored it Taught the 1st US Pope
Associated Press
On Thursday, church bells rang out for hours in celebration at the Augustinian school near Philadelphia after the 1977 alumnus Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church. “When you’re talking to him, he gives you his full attention. I think he’s a very intelligent person. I think he’s very well read. But he’s never lost the pastoral touch," said Kevin Hughes, chairperson of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova.

'We are Really Enjoying This Moment': Villanova Professor on Graduate Becoming Pope
ABC News - Live
As the semester draws to a close, it's all but quiet on Villanova's campus, as alumnus Robert Prevost was named pope. "We are really enjoying this moment," said Kevin Hughes, chairperson of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova.

First American Pope Graduated from Villanova University
CNN - The Lead
“I think this conclave gave us an election of continuity,” said Massimo Faggioli, PhD, Professor of Historical Theology at Villanova University. “Both men have experience and spent time in Latin America, which is the most important place for the Catholic Church in the last 60 years globally.”

Pope Leo XIV, Villanova Grad, Introduces Himself Adorned in Symbolism, Proverbial Religious Devotion
Fox News
Pope Leo XIV is the first pope to ever be elected from the United States. He's also an alumnus of Villanova University. "The people that I know who know him think that he's a wonderful priest," Brennan told Fox News Digital. "He's been a wonderful member of the Augustinian order, and we know that Pope Francis has entrusted him with great responsibilities. It’s a happy day."

Catholics at Villanova University, Where Pope Leo XIV Once Attended, Celebrate Mass
NPR
Pope Leo XIV once attended Villanova University. Catholics packed the St. Thomas of Villanova church to celebrate Sunday Mass and the new pope. It was standing room only by the time Mass began, while students outside celebrated the excitement of both the papal announcement and graduation.

A Shocked Villanova Celebrates One of Its Own in New Pope
Newsweek
The Villanova University community erupted in celebration after one of its own, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected Pope Leo XIV. "There was definitely shock and surprise across campus—from students and faculty to staff and administrators," said Emma Kennedy, professor in the Theology & Religious Studies department at Villanova University. "But alongside that, there was also recognition that given Pope Leo XIV's deep experience in the Vatican and close relationship with Francis, he was a reasonable and inspired choice."

Villanova University: The Pope’s Alma Mater
Catholic News Agency
Before he was pope, he was a math major at a Villanova University, a Catholic liberal arts university in Pennsylvania. Amid a busy finals week, bells began to ring on Villanova’s campus Thursday afternoon. Helicopters circled above. Throngs of students hurried to the chapel. “From the announcement onwards, the church bells were ringing nonstop in celebration,” said Jaisy Joseph, assistant professor of theology at Villanova. “Students, faculty, and staff transition from shock to tears to joy.”

Ringing Bells, a Papal Flag and Memes: How Villanova Celebrates an Alumnus Becoming Pope
USA Today
The bells have stopped ringing at St. Thomas Church at Villanova University, but the sense of joy, pride and excitement hasn't waned a day after one of its alumni, Robert Prevost, became the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. "I really appreciate how Villanova is getting this kind of attention," said student America Morrobel. The pontiff's Villanova roots mean "we can relate to him in a different way, we can feel like the pope is a little closer to us."

Could the New Pope, a Villanova Alumnus, Speak at Graduation Next Year? ‘Very Funny,’ the Pope Responded.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Rev. Peter M. Donohue, president of Villanova University, dashed off an email to the new pope shortly after his selection was announced Thursday. “I said congratulations. Maybe I could talk you into being next year’s commencement speaker?” Donohue said in an interview Friday. The new pope, 1977 Villanova alumnus Robert Prevost, replied: “Very funny. I don’t think I’m going to be able to do that,” said Donohue.

I Will Watch What Pope Leo XIV Does with Great Interest — And Not Simply Because I Work at Villanova
The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Villanova’s motto is “Veritas, Unitas, Caritas,” or Truth, Unity, Love. The pope’s first public remarks reflected these values. From the Vatican balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Leo XIV opened with the greeting, “Peace be with all of you,” and directed his message to the entire world. Community is a hallmark of the Augustinians — and of Villanova. With this initial speech, he conveyed those core values.” Tia Noelle Pratt is assistant vice president, director of mission engagement and strategic initiatives, and editor of the Journal of Catholic Social Thought in the Office for Mission and Ministry at Villanova University.

Villanova Professor Patrick Brennan Provides Details on Pope Leo XIV
FOX 29 - Good Day Philadelphia
"I still can’t believe it. I know my colleagues on campus are still just out of their minds excited," said Patrick Brennan, Chair of Catholic Legal Studies at Villanova. "There is nothing like this in Villanova’s history." Asked about the Pope's ties to the school, Brennan said "People who got Villanova love Villanova... Alumni are extraordinarily proud of it and I have no reason to believe he's an exception in any way."

Cardinal Robert Prevost, First American Elected Pope, is a Villanova Graduate
FOX 29 - Good Day Philadelphia
The Villanova community was shocked and overjoyed to hear the announcement of Robert Prevost, a Villanova alumnus, as the new pope. "It went from stunned to amazement" said Kerry San Chirico, associate professor of Theology. "I think of the church in a global sense and also local... it was amazing he walked these pathways and these hallways of the University," added Stephanie Wong, assistant professor of Theology.

Pope Leo XIV's Election Brings Joyous End of Semester at Villanova
CBS 3
The announcement of Pope Leo XIV, an alumnus of Villanova, brought about an exciting end to the spring semester for those affiliated with the University. “We all couldn’t believe what we just heard. Silence, and then joy,” said Jaisy Joseph, a Villanova professor who accompanied students on a trip to Rome last semester, where they held Mass with then-Cardinal Prevost.

Meet the Villanova Student and Vatican Intern Who Had a Hunch Robert Prevost Would Become the Next Pope
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Villanova University junior Caroline Pirtle knew Cardinal Robert F. Prevost could be the next pope, and she was pulling for him. In fact, she says, she had a hunch it would be him. As one of a handful of Villanova interns at the Vatican this semester, she had a front-row seat. “I’ve always been a day-one believer in the Villanova pope,” the 21-year-old computer science major said. Added fellow student and Vatican intern James Haupt, a communication major, “It’s really hard to explain how close I feel right now to the church."

Villanova Students Take Break From Finals to Celebrate the Selection of Pope Leo XIV, Class of ‘77
WHYY
Church bells sounded throughout the afternoon on the campus of Villanova University, a melodic announcement that the new pope once roamed the halls and took classes at the Catholic institution. The news broke as many students were studying for finals or, like junior Joey Kirner, getting ready to move off campus for the summer. "It’s just a surreal experience and it’s amazing and an honor that is something that we get to have," he said.