The fact that Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert “Bob” Prevost, went to Villanova University is definitely being felt on campus, writes Ben Silver for Main Line Today.
The first reaction has been one of jubilation and pride of association.
Dorms, dining halls, and lecture rooms are sacredly discussed as students reflect that the current pope once ate where they ate, worked, and slept on the campus they now occupy.
The world’s first American pope also has an opinion on the Philadelphia Eagles, ordered food from Wawa, and was stuck in traffic on I-76, like the rest of us.
Rev. Bob Hagan, Villanova’s senior associate athletic director and prior provincial in the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, said the connection is even deeper because of Prevost’s lifelong commitment to the Augustinian order.
“We stand on the shoulders of many Augustinians who’ve gone before us, who have given their life to this charism, to this way of life, the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. [Leo] represents the life that we live, that Augustinians for generations have lived before us and for Augustinians that we’re hoping to call after this,” Rev. Hagan said.
Read more about the deep connections between Pope Leo XIV and Villanova University in Main Line Today.
