Leo Catholic High School students, staff, alumni honor Pope Leo XIV during prayer service
Students, alumni, family, and supporters packed the Leo Catholic High School auditorium on Monday morning for a special prayer service honoring Pope Leo XIV.
The school, at 7901 S. Sangamon St., is also marking a major milestone — 99 years of service in Auburn Gresham.
This year, they have a new meaning with a newly elected pope who chose the name Leo in honor of Pope Leo XIII, head of the Catholic Church from 1878 to 1903. His legacy inspired the founding of the all-boys Catholic school in 1926.
Since then, the school's mission has been focused on justice, fairness, and the dignity of all people.
"I know he went through some adversities," said Leo High School sophomore Brian Kaicer. "So whenever I go through adversity, I'm going to try to push harder."
The new pontiff's presence at the head of the church serves as a reminder that the boys here at the school must continue to honor that mission.
Monday's prayer service was led with song, followed by prayer and words of encouragement.
"May God watch over him over all the men of Leo and all the people of the world," President of Leo Catholic Dan McGrath said.
"If you believe that you can change the world just like Leo and you can become the most powerful person in the world, then put your hands together and clap for yourself because the world is waiting on the Leo men," Father Michael Pfleger said.
Stephen Jackson, 16, said he is headed for greatness. After finding out Pope Leo XIV is from south suburban Dolton, Jackson said he was inspired because he is from the same town.
"Someone of his stature came from where I came from, and that gave me comfort, because he achieved feats that are very high. He's the new pope, for crying out loud!" said Jackson. "Like, that gave me a comforting feeling — not only saying, where my town, where I come from, doesn't define who I am."
McGrath said not only is the school named after Pope Leo XIII, but the school embodies the Victorian-era pope's message — as well as that of the new Pope Leo XIV.
"We really emphasize dignity and respect for your fellow man — men and women — but just treat each other with respect and dignity," McGrath said.
The service came just hours after Pope Leo XIV's first message to journalists, whom he thanked and offered prayers.
He thanked members of the press for their storytelling from Holy Week through Monday, capturing what he called "the beauty of the Catholic faith."
The newly elected pope said true peace begins with how we look at one another, how we listen, and how we speak. He urged the world to choose words that heal over ones that harm.
"Dear friends, we will get to know each other better over time. We have experienced, we can say together, truly special days. We have shared them through every form of media, TV, radio, and social media. I sincerely hope that each of us can say that these days unveiled a bit of the mystery of humanity and left us with the desire for love and peace."
Attendees at the event said that the moment of celebrating a hometown hero turned into a holy father shows the young men on the South Side that faith and service can take them anywhere.
