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As Cardinal, Pope Leo XIV skilfully merged the sacramental and the personal aspects, while asserting his authority over teenagers.

American Cardinal Appointed as 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church; Significant for International Catholic Students

International Catholic Students Rejoice as American Cardinal Elected as 267th Pope in Rome
International Catholic Students Rejoice as American Cardinal Elected as 267th Pope in Rome

As Cardinal, Pope Leo XIV skilfully merged the sacramental and the personal aspects, while asserting his authority over teenagers.

Rewritten Article:

Rome, Italy (AP) - The unexpected announcement that an American-born cardinal had been chosen as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church sent a wave of exhilaration through a group of students at an international Catholic school in Rome.

Born Robert Francis Prevost, and now known as Pope Leo XIV, the new Pontiff graced the Marymount International School 9th graders, typically aged 14 or 15, with his presence during a Mass on May 11, 2024. Following the revelation of his election as pope, the students found themselves "in high spirits," Sarah Gallagher, the school head, shared over the phone on Saturday.

With ties to the United States, Marymount often has American cardinals confirm its students. Last year, they welcomed Cardinal Prevost, a relative newcomer to the Vatican, roughly a year after Pope Francis brought him to Rome to be a part of the curia.

"We never anticipated he'd be stepping into such an esteemed role," Gallagher reflected. "He's a discreet, humble individual, far from the typical power-player among Vatican elites."

Each of the 30+ students had penned him a letter, expressing their thoughts before confirmation, one of the faith's seven sacraments, often viewed as the sacrament of maturity. Prevost took the time to respond personally to each student, Gallagher noted.

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The ceremony created a sense of peace and intimacy, thanks to Prevost's calming demeanor. "It was unlike anything I've ever experienced," Gallagher said, citing the "serenity and compassion" he exhibited during the event.

Gallagher couldn't recall if any of the students had selected Leo as a confirmation name in 2024; names reminiscent of his predecessor, Francis, were all the rage for many years. "It'd be quite something if that turned out to be the case," she mused.

Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents of French, Italian, and Spanish descent. He attended an Augustinian minor seminary in Michigan before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Following his entrance into the Order of St. Augustine in 1978, he made his solemn vows in 1981 and was ordained as a priest in 1982 after theological studies.

Prevost spent more than a decade ministering in South America, primarily in Peru, where he worked as a missionary, later leading an Augustinian seminary in Trujillo. In 2014, he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, by Pope Francis, and, in 2023, he was summoned to Rome to oversee the Dicastery for Bishops.

Prevost served as Prior General of the Augustinian Order for twelve years before his election as Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025. He is known for his centrist views on social issues but maintains traditional positions regarding church doctrine, including opposition to the ordination of women as deacons.

  1. The news of Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, being elected as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church was confirmed by the school head, Sarah Gallagher, following his visit to an international Catholic school in Toronto where he visited the 9th graders.
  2. Sarah Gallagher had mentioned that the students found themselves in high spirits after the confirmation of Prevost's election as pope, which took place on May 11, 2024.
  3. Gallagher also shared that each of the 30+ students had written a letter to Prevost, expressing their thoughts before confirmation, one of the sacraments of the faith that he administered to them.
  4. Despite the fact that names reminiscent of his predecessor, Francis, were all the rage for many years, Gallagher couldn't recall if any of the students had selected Leo as a confirmation name in 2024.

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