West Michigan’s Connection to New Pope Leo XIV
MICHIGAN, USA — The Diocese of Kalamazoo has revealed that Robert Francis Prevost, newly elected as Pope Leo XIV and the first pope from the United States, has significant ties to West Michigan.
Prevost, originally from Chicago, spent his high school years at a minor seminary run by the Augustinian order in West Michigan. A spokesperson from the diocese indicated the specifics of the seminary’s name could not be confirmed, although the New York Times reported that he attended St. Augustine Seminary High School in Holland, which operated from 1949 to 1978 within the Felt Mansion.
During his time at the seminary, Prevost received formation for both secondary education and preparation for divinity studies. His long-standing association with the Augustinian order began in 1977, leading to his election as prior general, the top position in the centuries-old order founded by St. Augustine. Prevost graduated from Villanova University in Pennsylvania with a degree in mathematics and later earned a theology diploma from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. After being ordained as a priest in 1982, he furthered his studies in canon law at Pontifical Saint Thomas Aquinas University.
Former Pope Francis recognized Prevost’s potential early on, moving him to Peru in 2014, where he served as the Archbishop of Chiclayo. In 2015, he also acquired Peruvian citizenship. Prevost returned to Rome in 2023 as head of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and in early 2025, he was elevated to a senior cardinal rank, positioning him as a prominent figure for future papal conclaves.
This historical connection highlights the legacy of the Augustinian tradition in shaping the leadership of the Catholic Church, marking an inspiring chapter for West Michigan.
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