The bells of Saint Joseph Chapel rang out 267 times today, as Seton Hill joined with the Catholic community around the world to celebrate the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the 267th Pope. Cardinal Prevost - who has taken the papal name Pope Leo XIV - is the first American Pope in the history of the Church. His election is particularly meaningful to our Seton Hill community as this year marks the 50th anniversary of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton as the first American-born Saint. 

A native of Chicago, Pope Leo XIV is a leader with global experience who has a history of serving those in poverty. He worked as a missionary for a decade in Trujillo, Peru and later served as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru from 2014 to 2023. Pope Leo XIV is an Augustinian priest and served as prior general of the Order of St. Augustine, formed in the 13th century as a community dedicated to poverty, service and evangelization. 

Most recently, the Villanova University graduate led the Dicastery for Bishops, a position he was appointed to by Pope Francis in 2023. He also served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

In his first remarks as Pope - as he appeared on the balcony in St. Peter's Basilica - he offered a message of peace, saying that he wanted it to "enter your hearts, reach your families and all people, wherever they are."

He added, "We have to seek together to be a missionary church. A church that builds bridges and dialogue."

Seton Hill University President Mary C. Finger asked the Seton Hill community to "join me in praying for Pope Leo XIV as he leads the Catholic Church forward."