By Kate Quiñones
CNA Staff, May 9, 2025 / 17:58 pm
Before he was pope, he was a math major at a Catholic liberal arts university in Pennsylvania.
Pope Leo XIV is the 267th head of the Catholic Church. He’s also a class of ‘77 alumnus of Villanova University, which is run by the Order of St. Augustine.
When he was elected to the papacy on May 8, Pope Leo made history as the first pope from the United States.
A campus abuzz
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.
The campus slowly began to discover that the newly-elected pontiff was an alumnus.
“It was pure shock in the moment — there’s no other way to put it,” said Villanova student Drew Figge, a freshman from Missouri. “No one really expected it and it took a while for us to realize that we were on the same campus as a pope had been.”
Despite it being finals week, with many students having already started to move out, there was a “buzz” all around campus, Figge said. The church bells were “ringing for hours playing our alma mater,” and at St.
Welcome to the Thomas of Villanova Church, where “numerous people of all ages” have gathered. The atmosphere here is truly special, as we reflect on the unique history of our college. As Figge shared with CNA, “It’s really cool to think that we are the only college in the country that had a pope graduate from it, so it really sets us apart.”
The excitement at Thomas of Villanova Church even made its way online, with Pope Leo’s alumni status trending on X. “New pope’s academic background stirs online buzz,” the headline read, capturing the awe and wonder that surrounded this moment.
According to Dana O’Neil, the university’s senior associate athletic director, one priest couldn’t contain his excitement, exclaiming, “Villanova has God’s divine approval. Is it ever a bad day to be a Wildcat?” The sense of pride and joy was palpable, with Jaisy Joseph, an assistant professor of theology at Villanova, describing the experience as “surreal.”
The bells of the church rang nonstop in celebration, marking a momentous occasion that brought students, faculty, and staff together in tears of joy. For Alex Dailey, a freshman from Raleigh, North Carolina, being at Villanova during this time is truly special. “Villanova has always been a big part of my family, and my Catholic faith is super important to me,” Dailey shared with CNA.
As the excitement continues to build, we can’t help but feel grateful for this incredible moment in Villanova’s history. Subscribe to our daily newsletter to stay updated on all the latest news and events happening at our beloved college. Join us as we embrace this unique and unforgettable time at Villanova.
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