The unexpected election of the first American pope is a great gift, humanizing the Petrine Office for us. As stories of those who have met the pope begin rolling in (including our seminarians studying abroad in Rome who dined with then-Cardinal Robert Prevost in the fall of 2024), we are blessed to see not only the nobility of Pope Leo XIV’s new office but also that he is a real person with experiences like our own.
Jesus exhorted Peter, the first pope, to “strengthen the brethren” at the Last Supper (Luke 22:32). Please pray for our new Holy Father to strengthen our priests and inspire many vocations of loving service to the Lord!
It was our great joy to invite the University of St. Thomas community into the excitement of these past days. The media features and mentions below showcase our men witnessing to “the joy of the Gospel throughout campus.
Media Features
‘We have a pope!’ Elation reigns in St. Peter’s Square and beyond
The Catholic Spirit, May 21
“Habemus papam, we have a pope!” exclaimed Levi Meyer, a junior at St. John Vianney College Seminary (SJV) in St. Paul who is studying in Rome and was in St. Peter’s Square May 8 when white smoke began pouring from a specially installed chimney in the Sistine Chapel. Read more.
Minnesota Seminarians Celebrate Pope Leo XIV’s Election – With Motorcade and Festive Panache
OSV News, May 12
ST. PAUL, Minn. (OSV News) — A recently installed chimney on the roof of St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul billowed white smoke into a clear, blue sky May 8, mirroring the smoke that emitted from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney in Vatican City and signaling the election of a new pope. Read more.
Breaking the News Plus | The New Pope (13:54)
KARE 11, May 8
Jana sits down with Father John Kelly from Saint John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul and a seminarian to talk all things Pope. Watch.
University of St. Thomas students celebrate new pope with parade (1:12)
KARE 11, May 8
Students on campus organized a parade following the announcement of Pope Leo XIV. Watch.
Seminarians in St. Paul celebrate election of Pope Leo XIV
The Catholic Spirit, May 8
A recently installed chimney on the roof of St. John Vianney College Seminary (SJV) in St. Paul billowed white smoke into a clear, blue sky May 8, mirroring the smoke that emitted from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney in Vatican City and signaling the election of a new pope. Read more.
Habemus Papam: St. Thomas Community Reacts to Selection of Pope Leo XIV (1:40)
University of St. Thomas Newsroom, May 9
Mere minutes after white smoke began billowing out of a smokestack atop the Sistine Chapel in Rome, a similar scene began playing out at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Watch and read more.
Seminarians in St. Paul build chimney to announce new pope (3:19)
KSTP – 5 Eyewitness News, May 7
As the world watches for smoke at the Sistine Chapel, some are bringing that tradition closer to home.
Seminarians on the campus of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul have created their own chimney on top of a building to announce when the new pope is elected. Watch and read more.
Saint John Vianney College Seminary builds chimney for announcement of new pope (2:53)
KARE 11, May 6
The College of Cardinals is set to meet in Vatican City this Wednesday to elect the new pope, following the death of Pope Francis last month. There, they’ll vote and burn ballots until his successor is chosen.
It’s a moment that the world will be watching, including in St. Paul, and the seminarians of Saint John Vianney College Seminary. Watch and read more.
Media Mentions
Reflection: Pope Leo XIV and the Legacy of Catholic Social Teaching
University of St. Thomas Newsroom, May 12
Our St. Paul campus at the University of St. Thomas erupted in celebration on Thursday, May 8, as Pope Leo XIV was announced. A packed viewing party at Scooter’s, our own Popemobile parade, and even white smoke emanating from a chimney built for the occasion above our St. John Vianney (SJV) seminary marked a jubilant day in history. Only time will tell how this papacy will shape the Catholic Church and the broader world, but it is not too early to comment on the significance of the new pope’s first decision: his name. Read more.
Minnesota faith leaders react to election of Pope Leo XIV, first American pontiff (3:18)
WCCO – CBS News Minnesota, May 8
Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago native, was elected the first American pontiff on the second day of conclave.
Taking the name Leo XIV, the 69-year-old in his first address to the public spoke a message of unity to the thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square. He’ll now serve as the religious leader for the more than 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. Watch and read more.
St. Thomas students gather to celebrate election of new pope
The Crest News, May 8
St. Thomas students and community members gathered on campus Thursday to celebrate the election of the new pope, Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV, or Robert Prevost, was elected after four ballot voting sessions and two days, according to the Associated Press. St. Thomas students, staff and faculty gathered in Scooters to watch his first papal address. Read more.
Minnesota Catholics react as Robert Prevost elected first pope from U.S. in history
MPR News, May 8
. . . At University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, students held a parade to celebrate the new pope, and one dressed in white robes rode around in the back of a white vehicle — a scene reminiscent of Pope Francis in the popemobile.
“USA! USA!” the students chanted. Later, they poured celebratory root beer floats. Read more.