Siena Friars Share Stories of Pope Leo XIV

As white smoke billowed out of the chimney at the Sistine Chapel on May 8, the Siena community prepared to join the world in welcoming a new Pope.

An hour after the smoke signaled that the conclave of cardinals had selected a new pontiff, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost - now Pope Leo XIV - stepped onto the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican to greet his followers. A dual citizen of the United States and Peru, he is the first pope from either nation.

Siena President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D., sent an e-mail message to the campus Thursday evening.

"The new pope…spoke of his desire to walk together with us in our search for truth, beauty and goodness - the presence of God in our lives. May we join Pope Leo in this humble and righteous pursuit:

'We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receive… all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.'

The gold dome of Siena Hall was lit white and yellow on Thursday evening, the colors of the Vatican flag. The Bells of Remembrance near the Grotto rang out in a festive toll earlier in the day when the white smoke appeared at the Vatican.

Br. Michael Perry, O.F.M. director of Siena's Laudato Sí Center for Integral Ecology, and Fr. Linh Hoang, O.F.M., professor of religious studies, shared their recollections of a man they have both personally known simply as "Bob." They were interviewed by all four local TV stations; once at the Grotto with Spectrum News, and three live, in-studio interviews with NewsChannel 13 (Br. Michael and Fr. Linh), News10 and CBS6.

"It's an exciting day, and an emotional day," said Fr. Linh. "We were surprised, many of us, that an American was chosen as Pope."

All three are alumni of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where Br. Michael first met a young Pope Leo as a fellow seminarian.

"He was simple, very affable," said Br. Michael, who spoke with a colleague in Peru via phone after the election. "He told me, 'Tell everybody he is a missionary at heart, he loves the poor, he is a priest of the people, and he is someone who will provide great leadership for the future of the Church.'"

Fr. Kevin Mullen, O.F.M., Ph.D., guardian of the Siena Friary, noted how Pope Leo lives out the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi.

"Most notable for me is Pope Leo's example of being with the poor in Lima, Peru," said Fr. Kevin. "Franciscan brothers of mine worked together with the Pope in assisting the poor and those who were in great need. My brothers held Pope Leo in high esteem because, like St. Francis, he preached with example and not just with words. In our parlance, 'he walked the talk!'"