The quiet murmurs of students in the hallway quickly erupted into cries and embraces of joy as the news spread of white smoke emerging from the Vatican.
The academic activities that normally define school days shifted to celebration as Lourdes united in solemn appreciation of such a historic and hopeful moment in church history.
Cheers could be heard from across the school as teachers rushed to turn their TVs on to catch a glimpse of the new head of the Church.
“I was walking in the hallway from my AP Lang class to lunch when I first heard the news about our new pope. The excitement that filled the classrooms left me in awe and appreciation of our school and Catholic faith,” sophomore Chloe Kawass said as she recalled how the school came together in celebration of the new Holy Father.
The white smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel signifies the election of a new pope but does not directly reveal his identity yet. Catholics around the world (from the streets of Rome to the classrooms at OLLA) were filled with anticipation as they awaited the reveal of the Holy Father.
The exciting news and anticipation of the newly elected pope united all classrooms as they paused their classwork to watch the Papal Blessing live.
“I was in the grotto in front of the statue of Our Lady, taking the alumni picture, when the white smoke came out! So I quickly went to start the live feed. It took a good 45–50 minutes, and then I heard: ‘Habemus Papam!’ echo across St. Peter’s Square. I was filled with an intense sense of joy and awe, as though time had stopped and history was in the making,” theology teacher Ms. Diana V. Rodriguez said about the special moment.
“Peace be with all of you!” were the very first words spoken by former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the newly elected pope.
Cardinal Prevost proudly chose the name Pope Leo XIV, a name that honors the previous thirteen popes with the name Leo.
A few notable examples of significant Popes name Leo include Leo XIII and Pope Leo the Great.
Leo XIII is famously known for his championing of human rights and his teachings on social justice.
Pope Leo the Great is revered for his bravery in defending the Church against attacks from political enemies. The name Leo is truly a powerful choice that represents his commitment to continuing the great legacy of the many Popes Leo before him.
Pope Leo XIV made a great first impression on the world as he smiled, a smile that truly demonstrated his qualities of warmth and love. Tears were seen pouring from the faces of the thousands present at Vatican City.
Within a few seconds of officially being pope, Pope Leo XIV had already united Catholics around the world in a shared love for their Church.
Pope Leo XIV has made history as the first American to fill the role of pope.
Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Italian descent, he was ordained a priest in 1982. Leo was known for being an extremely passionate child and expressed his interest in priesthood from a young age.
He attended Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where he earned his degree in mathematics and studied philosophy. Leo moved to Peru in 1985 to become a missionary and work with marginalized communities.
He quickly became a well-loved figure in the small Peruvian community he served and was known as a champion for improving the living conditions of the underprivileged there. Leo also became a pastor of a local Peruvian Catholic Church and taught at a seminary where he trained young men who aspired to become priests.
In 2015, Leo was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo by Pope Francis and quickly progressed to other clergy positions as he was recognized for his good works. Leo was officially appointed as a cardinal in 2024 by Pope Francis and assisted Francis in organizing the Jubilee of Hope.
Throughout his years as a priest, Pope Leo XIV acquired a reputation for being deeply committed to supporting the poor and leading the Church toward unity.
“To have shared the election of Pope Leo XIV as a school community made the moment simply unforgettable. We were not merely observers; we were participants in a sacred moment in the Church’s life. We were all united in prayer and joy. It was a picture of the universal Church, here in the middle of campus. It was a reminder that we are more than a school—we are a Catholic family, grounded in faith and led by the Church,” Ms. Rodriguez said.
Pope Leo XIV’s election as the 276th Bishop of Rome is truly a historic moment for American Catholics. With his election as pope, the Church is already experiencing a spiritual renewal in America that hasn’t been seen in years.
The day was not only unforgettable for American Catholics but especially for OLLA students who bonded over their shared love for their faith and its beautiful traditions.
“Being in school around all my OLLA sisters when the new pope was getting announced was truly amazing and made me feel so proud of the community i’m apart of. It was such a touching moment that reminded me of what it means to be a Catholic and how touching our traditions are,” said Chloe Kawass.
The pope’s motto, In Illo uno unum, was pronounced by St. Augustine in a sermon to explain that “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.”
This motto represents the promise that Pope Leo XIV brings to the Church, that he will focus on unifying Catholics around the world in a shared love for Christ.
