St. Thomas the Apostle constructs top-tier academic building

By
The Catholic Sun
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Bishop John Dolan visited the new construction site of St. Thomas the Apostle (STA) grade school in Phoenix on Tuesday (March 31). The $25 million project will provide a brand-new K-8 academic building — a 76,000 square-foot, three-story structure with a basement. In addition to classrooms, the build will include a cafeteria, theater stage, science lab and collaborative common spaces for group learning and projects. 

Bishop Dolan was joined by Fr. Steve Kunkel, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Fr. Shia Reh Marino, parochial vicar of the parish, Chancellor and Vice Moderator of the Curia Dr. Maria Chavira, Superintendent of Schools Domonic Salce and Debbie DiCarlo, executive director of the Office of Mission Advancement for the Diocese of Phoenix. Katie Zeches, the incoming principal, Annemarie Mansour, the incoming vice principal, and Mary Coffman, who has been STA’s principal since 2008 and is retiring after 28 years with the school, were also in attendance. Zeches, Mansour and Coffman have been part of the building design and fundraising for the past decade. 

Prior to the tour of the new facility, Bishop Dolan took part in morning prayer with the student body, which included a performance by two choirs. The bishop was also presented with art from the students, and afterward he visited several classrooms. 

Groundbreaking for the project took place in November 2024 following more than a decade of planning and fundraising, and STA launched a capital campaign entitled “Under One Roof” for the continuation of the project. The construction is taking place in phases, and the first floor will open for the start of the upcoming school year, welcoming the kindergarteners, first grade and second grade students into the new building. STA anticipates welcoming all students into the fully completed building by August 2027 — bringing the entire student body together “under one roof.” 

For monthly video updates on the progress of construction, visit the school website here. 

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“Lay down your weapons,” pope says in Palm Sunday call for peace

By
Catholic News Service
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Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful from the popemobile as he rides past people holding palm fronds and olive branches after Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 29, 2026. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

By Josephine Peterson

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Marking the start of Holy Week, Pope Leo XIV used his first Palm Sunday Mass to issue a forceful plea for peace, urging an end to war as he reflected on Christ’s Passion.

During his homily opening Holy Week at St. Peter’s Square, the pope said the faithful must follow Jesus, as he embraced humanity “even as others raise swords and clubs.”

“We turn our gaze to Jesus, who reveals himself as King of Peace, even as war looms around him,” he said March 29. “He remains steadfast in meekness, while others are stirring up violence.”

Pope Leo continued, recounting Jesus’ final words to God, saying that in that moment we can see a “crucified humanity.”

“Above all, we hear the painful groans of all those who are oppressed by violence and are victims of war,” he said. “Christ, King of Peace, cries out again from his cross: God is love! Have mercy! Lay down your weapons! Remember that you are brothers and sisters!”

In his appeal at the close of the Mass, he went on further to press for peace, especially in the Middle East. He called on prayers for Christians in the Middle East, whose “ordeal challenges all our consciences,” as the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran enters its fifth week.

“Just as the Church contemplates the mystery of the Lord’s Passion, we cannot forget those who today are truly sharing in his suffering,” he said. “Let us raise our prayer to the Prince of Peace that he may sustain the peoples wounded by war and open concrete paths to reconciliation and peace.”

On a sunny and windy day, thousands attended the Mass, which began with a solemn procession of hundreds of people carrying green palm branches, followed by about 60 cardinals and bishops, carrying “palmurelli,” pale green palm branches that were woven and braided.

In the center of the square, the procession circled the ancient obelisk, brought to Rome by Emperor Caligula in 37 AD and later erected in St. Peter’s Square, traditionally marking the site of early Christian martyrdom, including that of St. Peter.

Dressed in red vestments, the color of the Passion, Pope Leo followed, opening Mass underneath the obelisk. After the opening prayer and hymns, the procession made its way through the crowd to the altar in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Palm Sunday marks the solemn beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and leading to his passion, death and resurrection. The liturgy includes the reading of Christ’s suffering and crucifixion, setting the tone for the days leading to Easter.

In closing, the pope ended his Palm Sunday homily recalling the words of the late Bishop Tonino Bello, who was known as a pacifist and social justice advocate.

“‘And grant, finally, that the tears of all the victims of violence and pain will soon be dried up like frost beneath the spring sun,'” the pope said.

Bishop Bello died in 1993, and Pope Francis recognized him as venerable as his sainthood cause was advanced in 2021.

©2026 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Holy oils blessed at annual Chrism Mass

By
The Catholic Sun
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Nearly 200 priests from around the Diocese of Phoenix — the largest turnout in more than a decade — gathered with Bishop John Dolan, Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares, Auxiliary Biship Peter Dai Bui and Bishop Emeritus Thomas Olmsted at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix on Monday (March 30) to concelebrate the annual Chrism Mass. The liturgy drew a standing-room-only crowd.

The Chrism Mass revolves around a rich tradition of blessing oils dating back to the year 200 AD. In the modern-day celebration, the bishop blesses the oils that will be used for baptisms, confirmations, anointing of the sick and holy orders throughout the diocese this year.

One of the highlights of the liturgy takes place when the bishop breathes over the glass container that holds the chrism oil, symbolizing the Holy Spirit coming down to consecrate the oil to be used in administering the sacraments.

The celebration began with a procession of numerous deacons, seminarians, men and women religious and representatives from the Knights of Columbus, the Order of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

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Creation Summit to address dignity and peace

By
Fiona Sauve
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An avid hiker and member of the creation care team at her parish, Sacred Heart in Prescott, Ariz., Charlene Hoffman has nurtured a longtime love for the earth. So when she heard about the Creation Summit hosted by the Diocese of Phoenix, she knew she had to get involved.  

“It was like an answer to prayer,” she said.   

Hoffman was one of nearly 100 attendees at the inaugural Creation Summit in January 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Phoenix. Through panels and small group discussions, the interfaith event invited participants to reflect on topics such as spirituality and climate challenges.  

“I really loved all of the speakers. The water and climate challenge workshop was just terrific,” Hoffman shared. “We talked about human impacts. But I think really my favorite part was the guys from Brophy who came and talked about an action plan.”  

At the summit, three students from the Brophy College Preparatory Student Climate Coalition discussed the importance of environmental stewardship. Participants were then asked to develop action plans to share with their parish communities. The diocese’s Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation at the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Ariz., and the Interfaith Walk for the Earth at Yavapai College in Prescott, Ariz., were two of the developed action plans at the 2025 Creation Summit. 

Emilio Rodriquez Izquierdo, another attendee at the 2025 Creation Summit, brought his action plan — a new care for creation committee — to his home parish, St. Francis Xavier. 

“The first time we met was during the Creation Summit,” said Rodriquez Izquierdo. “We sat there with our pastor and then the idea was that we would continue meeting. We have been meeting continuously since the first summit.”  

The committee holds monthly meetings at St. Francis Xavier and tracks environmental activities at the parish, such as energy use. The committee members, which include the pastor and five or six parishioners, actively work to improve the sustainability of the parish facilities. 

“I feel very blessed because sometimes you will struggle to find people to do things, but here people naturally want to participate in service to the Church,” Rodriguez Izquierdo noted.  

With the support of the committee, the parish is undertaking a major project: installing a solar canopy over the parking lot this July.  

Inspired by the fruits of the first Creation Summit, Rodriguez Izquierdo decided to participate again in this year’s summit, this time as a planning committee member. 

This year’s Creation Summit will take place on April 11, at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in downtown Phoenix in tandem with the 63rd anniversary of Pacem in Terris, an encyclical by Pope John XXIII on peace, human rights and international relations. The theme of the summit is “Addressing Human Dignity and Peace on Earth” and will include topics such as creation and migration, and local efforts addressing poverty and the environment.  

Rodriguez Izquierdo feels particularly drawn to this year’s theme.  

“We don’t see why peace on earth, migration and asylum seekers might be connected with the actions we take every day. So, seeing what the diocese was doing, and also the theme for the event, is why I decided to join this year.”  

The Creation Summit seeks to draw people together from across the diocese. The event welcomes people of all faiths, ages and backgrounds.  

“It’s the possibility for us to organize something that is feasible here in the diocese. It helps to foster participation and allows us to be together,” Rodriguez Izquierdo said.  

Likewise, Hoffman, who participated on the planning committee for both the 2025 and 2026 Creation Summits, values the intergenerational component of the event.  

“I loved it because young people are involved. Most of us that were participants were older, but we need to have the people that are in the generations to follow for whom we’re trying to raise this awareness.”  

At its heart, the Creation Summit is an opportunity to see God in the beauty of creation. Hoffman believes it is important to share this beauty with others.  

“I want to help people create for themselves this deep affection and love for the earth and awaken that love and desire in others.”  

For more information and to register for the 2026 Creation Summit, click here. 

Paving the way; Creative accompaniment helps seekers become Catholic

By
Joyce Coronel
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The surge in the number of those seeking to become Catholic is catching the attention of parish staffs across the Diocese of Phoenix. 

Whether it’s disappointment with the empty promises of secularism, a deep hunger for something authentic, the election of the first U.S.-born pontiff or a combination thereof, parishes have seen a strong uptick in inquiries. 

Not everyone fits in the standard model for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the process by which men and women become Catholic. From nurses and police officers who work nights to truck drivers and those in hospice care, a welcoming, flexible approach is helping hundreds become Catholic. 

We checked in with parishes in four corners of the Diocese of Phoenix to see how creative OCIA leaders are adapting in order to welcome more people into the Catholic Church. 

 St. Bernard of Clairvaux 

Deacon Phil LoCascio leads a burgeoning OCIA at St. Bernard of Clairvaux in North Scottsdale, Ariz. “We turn no one away,” Deacon Phil said. 

The parish doesn’t actually call it OCIA, though. Instead, it’s been dubbed “Quest,” since those who are seeking to learn more about the Catholic faith are, in fact, on a quest, Deacon Phil said. Rather than confining the process to the academic year as in many parishes, Quest runs all year long at St. Bernard’s. 

“I get calls from people every week.” 

That syncs with data collected by the Diocese of Phoenix. During the period of Nov. 30, 2025, through March 5, 2026, there were 42 inquiries made through the “Become Catholic” page at dphx.org. 

Many of those who approach St. Bernard’s seeking initiation into the Catholic faith are professionals who travel frequently for work and are unable to attend regular OCIA sessions. 

“We’re flexible with that,” Deacon Phil said. He gives out a book and a calendar that lists which chapters go with which week. He said he expects them to read it and then he follows up. 

Last year, for example, there was a man who was in police training and also coaching hockey on the side to make a living. Tournaments sometimes conflicted with OCIA sessions. Just like others who are traveling salesmen or nurses, Deacon Phil worked with him. 

“I meet with them once a month on the side for a coffee or something and for a two-hour session and we’ll go through the fundamentals of stuff that was missed. It’s not set up to be a PhD class, but to reach that experience of conversion where there’s real change and the Spirit is moving in that.” 

Then there are those who are nearing the end of their earthly journey and want to become Catholic or complete their sacraments of initiation. 

“We’ve had a few people in hospice care that we have gotten confirmed,” Deacon Phil said. “Their heart is in the right place and they’re desperate for the sacraments. We make sure they get the classes that they need for that. In those cases, it would probably be a more shortened version of the classic OCIA.” 

With Notre Dame Preparatory High School within the parish boundaries, students who want to become Catholic or who are seeking to complete their sacraments are also part of the OCIA process at St. Bernard’s. 

“Last year we had 50 adults brought into the Church,” Deacon Phil said. “We had another 40 or 50 high school students.” 

Deacon Phil credits Father Fred Adamson, pastor of the parish, with the sizable OCIA cohort. 

“He promotes it and he makes it clear that we’re proud of this and we want to be a Church that is inviting people and embracing and engaging with people.”   

 Most Holy Trinity 

At Most Holy Trinity Parish in Sunnyslope, Ariz., many of those who aspire to become Catholic are Hispanic. The parish offers formation in both English and Spanish, with some of those in the English formation courses being bilingual. 

Imelda Flores, who leads OCIA at Most Holy Trinity, said the parish is committed to welcoming people into the Church. 

“We have tried to engage and walk with the people so that they do not feel rejected and so they do not feel that right now there is no space for you,” Flores said. 

“Everyone is welcome, and we try to fit them in with the team we have according to the needs of the people, as long as we see that the person who needs the sacraments has a real interest and commitment.” 

Flores said she’s had inquiries from those in the military and people who are studying and working at the same time, making the normal OCIA preparation problematic. The priests at the parish, who belong to the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, make time to meet with inquirers individually, as does Flores. 

Last year, Flores said, a young man lost his father and needed to go to work but wanted to continue high school. He also wanted the sacraments. With such a demanding schedule and in the midst of grief, it seemed a daunting prospect to also take on OCIA. 

“Then one of the nuns at the parish asked him to participate in the 8 a.m. Mass and then met with him afterward to provide catechesis,” said Flores. 

Most Holy Trinity Parish welcomes others who are also experiencing some of life’s harsher realities. The door to the Catholic Church swings wide open for them, too. 

Flores told of a case in which a young man who had received a citation for driving under the influence wanted a letter of recommendation from the parish. “But we didn’t know him or anything,” Flores said. One of the priests on staff found out the man had not yet received his sacraments and invited him to join OCIA. That bit of encouragement bore fruit: He’s attending the sessions and also getting service hours volunteering at the parish. 

The man was faithful coming to the classes, Flores said, and is on his way to full initiation into the Catholic Church. 

 St. Clare of Assisi 

At St. Clare of Assisi in Surprise, Ariz., OCIA formation takes place all year long. On the parish’s website, the homepage has an inviting tab dubbed “Let’s Connect.” Under that, users can select “Become Catholic.” 

That’s where they’ll find a head shot of Deacon Jim Brett, the OCIA coordinator, with an upbeat description of the program and a broad invitation to participate: 

“We are here to answer all your questions and more. The first step is to reach out to the Becoming Catholic coordinator to find out how to begin the process, or you can just start attending the inquiry sessions each Sunday after the 9 a.m. Mass, located in the modular offices on the west side of the church.” 

Deacon Jim has only been on staff at St. Clare’s since June of 2025, but he and his wife Jane began working in OCIA back in 1988 at St. Timothy Parish in Mesa, Ariz. He’s dedicated to accompanying those who seek to become Catholic and has seen some very unique circumstances among participants. 

“We had one guy who was a baseball player. When the season was over at the end of September, he went to Florida. So, in essence, he did most of his stuff online. 

“They send stuff back to me as proof that they watched it or read it and answered some of the questions,” Deacon Jim said. 

He meets with people individually but acknowledges “it’s not an ideal situation.” In the case of the man in Florida, he referred him to a parish in the Sunshine State and coordinated with the deacon there. 

It’s not the first time for this interstate cooperation. Another man began his OCIA journey in Montana but finished the process at St. Clare’s. 

And then there are those who come from different Christian faith denominations. 

“We have a surprisingly large number of people from the Baptist church wanting to join. One of them was an ex-minister,” Deacon Jim said. 

Welcoming those who seek to become Catholic and being available to them is key, he said. 

“Sometimes, I say, ‘Just show up to the class. If you can’t meet me on this day or that day or after the meeting on Sunday, just show up and come on in. You all can come on in and start learning.’ 

“We’ll greet you and make you feel at home.” 

 St. Steven 

Deacon David Runyan is retired but leads the OCIA process at St. Steven Parish in Sun Lakes, Ariz., in the southeastern corner of the diocese. He cited being available as one of the most important aspects of welcoming people to the Church. 

“When people come forward and they want to talk, they’re limited in when they can talk. I have to be open to their schedule, and it’s very difficult to do that if you’re already working a scheduled staff position.” 

It’s also crucial to recognize the unique nature of each person seeking to become Catholic, he said. 

“Being available is key but so is having a sincere interest in each individual’s journey. I’ve encountered so many different people in different walks of life.” 

He’s been a deacon for 15 years and has worked in four other parishes as well as in various programs across the diocese. 

Those who are seeking entrance to the Church often pose thought-provoking questions, he noted. “You have to have a fairly well-rounded understanding of your faith to even begin to address them,” Deacon David said. 

Typically, the people he chats with are not questioning the existence of God. 

“I’m encountering people that have already accepted the fact that there’s a God in their life. And how do you respond to this Creator of the universe who simply wants to walk with you through your life?” 

Ultimately, those who work in OCIA must be willing to share their faith, Deacon David said. 

“I have to be able to share my relationship with Jesus in an authentic way. I’m not trying to convince them of miracles occurring and things like that but just where I am in my life.” 

Deacon David enjoys ministering to those who are seeking to become Catholic, explaining the Mass to them. 

“It can be very simple things like when you walk into a church, you see all these symbols. Every gesture that the priest makes at the altar, every prayer that’s said — everything has a very deep meaning behind it. 

“As we go through the OCIA lessons and instruction, it’s really fun to share that kind of stuff because here I am, 74 years old, and I still learn from my faith.” 

Deacon David is hopeful about the future and passionate about accompanying those who want to become Catholic or complete their sacraments. 

“I have a sense of people returning to the faith. And I think that parishes need to be open to that and if at all possible, identify those that are associated with the parish, such as myself, a retired clergy, that are simply just available and have a desire to want to walk with people through their faith and life.” 

To learn about becoming Catholic and to watch a welcome video from Bishop Dolan, visit dphx.org/become-catholic/ 

New Photina Center hosts open house

By
The Catholic Sun
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A new collaboration between the Diocese of Phoenix and the University of Mary in Bismark, N.D., welcomed potential students at an open house held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in downtown Phoenix on Sunday (March 29). Msgr. James Shea, president of the University of Mary and Bishop John Dolan shared their vision with prospective students about the Photina Center and its mission.  In addition, Dr. Christina Jurekovic, a counseling professor for the university, and Mary Permoda, the director for the diocese’s Office of Mental Health Ministry, also spoke.

Located in downtown Phoenix, the Photina Center for Catholic Counseling will provide degree programs, professional development and resources to meet the growing need for mental health professionals rooted in Catholic anthropology.  Beyond academic programs, the Photina Center will also provide professional development and resources for the local community of Catholic mental health professionals, assist with the Diocese of Phoenix’s Office of Mental Health Ministry and co-sponsor an annual conference on Catholic Mental Health Ministry.

Online courses for the Master of Science in Counseling program begin in May 2026, with operations at the Photina Center commencing in fall 2026. The University of Mary’s M.S. in Counseling is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and is in the process of seeking CACREP authorization for the blended counseling program offered through the Photina Center in Phoenix.

St. Photina is the name in the Eastern Christian tradition ascribes to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well (John 4:4-42). The Photina Center draws inspiration from her encounter with Christ, which is the longest conversation Jesus has with anyone in the New Testament. In Jesus, she finds truth, healing and courage for joyful witness. Photina means “light,” embodying the center’s goal to illuminate paths of hope and healing for individuals, families and communities.

For more information about the University of Mary’s Master of Science in Counseling program or the Catholic Anthropology Certificate, visit online.umary.edu/Photina or contact admissions at enroll@umary.edu.

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Christ in our Neighborhood: Fourth Sunday of Easter (Cycle A)

By
Joyce Coronel
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NOTE: Christ in Our Neighborhood is a parish-based program consisting of small Christian communities that gather in the home weekly to prayerfully discuss the upcoming Sunday Mass readings. It’s easy to form a community and you can find out more by searching “Christ in Our Neighborhood at the Diocese of Phoenix website, dphx.org.

This coming Sunday, we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter. The question the Christ in Our Neighborhood commentary asks us is: Which shepherd are we listening to?

We live in a noisy world. Unless we’re very intentional about it, the trap of constant input from news headlines, music, entertainment, social media, text messages and more can dominate our consciousness. It’s almost like we’re afraid of silence.

And yet God speaks to us in the silence. Think of the iconic passage in 1 Kings 19 where Elijah is waiting for the Lord to speak. He’s buffeted by an earthquake, fire and fierce wind — yet the Lord is not to be found in any of that, as powerful as He is.

Instead, our Lord speaks to Elijah in a “still, small voice,” in the quiet. In the silence.

Our Shepherd’s voice can easily be drowned out by the “earthquakes” of our modern life. Let’s take time in the silence today to hear His voice. Let’s put down our phones and turn to the One who brings clarity and peace.

If you haven’t joined a Christ in Our Neighborhood small group yet, perhaps you are being called to start one yourself. It’s easy! Check out our website today to find out more: dphx.org/Christ-in-our-neighborhood. 

Watch the video of the weekly podcast segment featuring Christ in Our Neighborhood with Bishop Dolan by clicking HERE.

To sign up for our weekly Christ in Our Neighborhood newsletter that has everything you need for your next meeting, visit:  https://phoenixdiocese.flocknote.com/CION

Christ in our Neighborhood: Third Sunday of Easter (Cycle A)

By
Joyce Coronel
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NOTE: Christ in Our Neighborhood is a parish-based program consisting of small Christian communities that gather in the home weekly to prayerfully discuss the upcoming Sunday Mass readings. It’s easy to form a community and you can find out more by searching “Christ in Our Neighborhood at the Diocese of Phoenix website, dphx.org.

This coming Sunday, we celebrate the Third Sunday of Easter. The question the Christ in Our Neighborhood Commentary asks us is: Do we recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread or is it just some ritual we repeat? When was the last time our heart was on fire?

Do we realize that every time we go to Mass, a miracle takes place? As the priest consecrates the bread and wine, they become that Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. In that moment, the sacrifice at Calvary and the words of the Last Supper are made present to us here and now. All that love, hope, healing, goodness and victory over sin and death is right in front of us, if only we open our eyes and our hearts.

It’s easy to get complacent or become indifferent about the Eucharist, particularly when our hearts become hardened by sin. The further we get from God, the less we tend to think about Him. But even there, in our brokenness, God seeks us out and calls us to conversion, ready to bestow His mercy on us.

One way to grow in our love for the Eucharist is to read about those who have truly suffered in order to receive it. With God in Russia, written by Servant of God Walter Cizek, S.J., is a moving account of an American-born missionary priest who was sentenced to 15 years hard labor in the Soviet Union, branded a Vatican spy. Fr. Cizek was accused of years in Siberia, secretly ministering to his fellow prisoners, consecrating small bits of bread taken from their starvation rations. He risked his life to offer Mass in the freezing forest, providing the Bread of Life to others in the labor camps.

When we get too comfortable at church and our hearts grow cold, we need to call to mind the heroic virtue of fellow believers like Fr. Cizek.

If you haven’t joined a Christ in Our Neighborhood small group yet, perhaps you are being called to start one yourself. It’s easy! Check out our website today to find out more: dphx.org/Christ-in-our-neighborhood. 

Watch the video of the weekly podcast segment featuring Christ in Our Neighborhood with Bishop Dolan by clicking HERE.

To sign up for our weekly Christ in Our Neighborhood newsletter that has everything you need for your next meeting, visit:  https://phoenixdiocese.flocknote.com/CION

Healthcare ministers foster collaboration

By
The Catholic Sun
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Bishop John Dolan met with more than a dozen members of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) and other Catholic chaplains who serve in healthcare settings across the state of Arizona on Tuesday (March 24) at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in downtown Phoenix. The gathering took place to discuss the shared mission of bringing Christ to the sick, suffering and vulnerable.
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The role of chaplains is to “accompany patients and their families in moments when life is often most fragile,” said NACC Arizona State Liaison Rev. Dr. Fidelis Igwenwanne, BCC.
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He went on to call these moments of illness, uncertainty, fear and grief “sacred encounters” in which chaplains seek to offer prayer, presence, spiritual support and, when possible, access to the sacraments for those who are suffering.
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“In this way, we continue the healing ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who always showed special compassion for the sick and the suffering,” he continued.
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The meeting served to build greater awareness about the presence and ministry of Catholic chaplains in hospitals and to foster closer collaboration in supporting the bishop in his pastoral care of the sick in the Diocese of Phoenix.
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Childhood classmates from the United States reunite with Pope Leo

By
Catholic News Service
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Pope Leo XIV poses with former classmates who graduated from the lower school of St. Mary of the Assumption in Chicago in 1969 after the general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 18, 2026. He is holding their eighth-grade graduation class photo. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

By Carol Glatz

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Once a young teenager wearing a cap and gown for his eighth-grade graduation photo in Chicago, today the famous former-student posed for a reunion picture wearing his papal zucchetto and cassock at the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV, who graduated from the lower school of St. Mary of the Assumption on the city’s South Side in 1969, greeted and reminisced with 10 of his 82 former classmates after the general audience in St. Peter’s Square March 18.

“Sorry! I’m nervous,” laughed Sherry Stone (née Blue) after a small sign saying, “God bless you Pope Leo,” slipped from her grasp when she reached out to shake the hand of her former classmate — Robert F. Prevost.

The pope proudly held up their old graduation photo as they posed for another photo together, almost 60 years later.

“Here he is, our friend, the pope,” Jerome Clemens told the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, pointing to the black-and-white image of the 13-year-old Prevost. Clemens then showed the back of the class photo with Prevost’s old autograph and his new one that was signed, “Leo XIV.”

Among the small gifts they brought was the 2025 fall issue of “Air Chicago,” a color magazine produced for passengers coming through Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports, whose cover story was the election of a pope from Chicago.

The group came to Rome and the general audience to show their camaraderie and embrace once again their former classmate — now the 266th successor of St. Peter, the newspaper reported.

John Riggio told the newspaper about the close-knit atmosphere at the school, saying it was more like a family.

In fact, the pope’s mother, Mildred Agnes Prevost, worked there as a librarian and was also actively involved with the school and parish, Stone said.

She told The Lansing Journal last May, right after her classmate’s election by the College of Cardinals, that she had remembered him making a comment when they were young, “that he wanted to grow up to be pope.”

“When he was in the conclave, I thought, ‘Could it be him? Could Bob be the new pope? No, probably not,'” Stone had told the Journal. “When I saw that it was him, I was just amazed. I was crying tears of joy.”

She had said he was kind, humble and well-liked by his classmates. “He was a super nice guy, but not nerdy.”

Following his middle school graduation, Prevost went on to attend the Augustinians’ St. Augustine Seminary High School near Saugatuck, Michigan, where he graduated in 1973, followed by enrolling in Villanova University, an Augustinian college located near Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in 1977.

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