Pope Leo XIV reunites with childhood classmates at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome after decades apart from Chicago school friends

Last week, something remarkable unfolded on the steps of . Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Prevost, welcomed a small group of his eighth-grade classmates from _of_interest”,”St. Mary of the Assumption School”,”Chicago, IL, US”], the south Chicago school where he grew up.

Of the 82 students in the class of 1969, 10 classmates joined him on March 18 after the general audience, sharing laughter, gifts, and heartfelt handshakes—a reunion decades in the making.

Holding Memories Across Half a Century

During the gathering, his classmates presented him with a photograph of the 1969 class.

Pope Leo XIV proudly held the photo as another group picture was taken, bridging more than 50 years.

Jerome Clemens, one of the classmates, pointed out the young Robert Prevost in the picture for the Vatican newspaper, entity[“organization”,”L’Osservatore Romano”,”Vatican newspaper”], remarking, “Here he is, our friend, the pope.”

The image even bore Prevost’s old autograph alongside his new signature, “Leo XIV.”

Former classmate Sherry Stone (née Blue) shared a touching moment, dropping a sign reading “God bless you Pope Leo” as she met him.

Laughing, she admitted, “Sorry! I’m nervous!” Their reunion captured a mix of nostalgia, joy, and the surreal experience of seeing a childhood friend now leading the Catholic Church.

From Chicago to the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV’s journey from south Chicago to the Vatican is one marked by devotion and education.

After eighth grade at St. Mary’s, he attended entity[“point_of_interest”,”St. Augustine Seminary High School”,”Michigan, US”], graduating in 1973, followed by studies at entity[“organization”,”Villanova University”,”Pennsylvania, US”], where he earned a mathematics degree in 1977.

He entered the Augustinian novitiate that same year, was ordained in 1982, and earned advanced degrees in canon law from the entity[“organization”,”Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas”,”Rome, Italy”].

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St. Mary of the Assumption Faces an Uncertain Future

The school and church that shaped his early years, however, now face a precarious existence.

Located in the Riverdale neighborhood, just blocks from Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home in Dolton”,”Illinois, US”], the property has been vacant since 2011 and shows significant decay.

Broken windows, graffiti, and a leaking roof prompted Preservation Chicago to place it on their 2026 “7 Most Endangered” list.

Ward Miller of Preservation Chicago emphasized the need for urgent intervention: “Temporary repairs are necessary, with a long-term goal of full restoration before everything is lost to deterioration.”

Joel Hall, the current owner, has indicated openness to landmark designation.

Preservation Chicago is also campaigning for the site to become a shrine or visitor center to honor the first American pope.

Preserving a Piece of History

Preservationists hope that, eventually, St. Mary’s campus can be restored for public visits and potentially for Pope Leo XIV’s return to Chicago.

The effort highlights the cultural and historical importance of these buildings—not only as educational and religious spaces but as part of the story of a world leader with roots in Chicago’s South Side.

Impact and Consequences

The deteriorating condition of St. Mary’s school and church symbolizes broader challenges facing historic religious structures in urban America.

If not preserved, the loss would erase a tangible connection to the first American pope and a vibrant Catholic community that once thrived in Riverdale.

The endangered status also raises awareness about the importance of landmark designations to protect cultural heritage.

What’s Next?

Preservation Chicago continues to push for city landmark designation while exploring partnerships for restoration.

Online petitions are active, calling for public support to save the property.

If successful, the site could become a historic destination, educational center, or oratory celebrating Pope Leo XIV’s journey from south Chicago to the Vatican.

Meanwhile, the pope has no announced plans to visit the United States.

Summary

Pope Leo XIV’s heartfelt reunion with his eighth-grade classmates offers a glimpse into his personal history, while the school and church where he grew up face decay and uncertainty.

The story reflects the intersection of personal memory, community history, and the urgent need to preserve cultural landmarks before they are lost.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Pope Leo XIV reunited with 10 of his eighth-grade classmates from St. Mary of the Assumption School in Rome
• The reunion included photographs, autographs, and warm handshakes decades after graduation
• The pope’s educational journey included St. Augustine Seminary, Villanova University, and advanced canon law studies in Rome
• St. Mary of the Assumption Church and School is now vacant and deteriorating, listed as one of Chicago’s “7 Most Endangered” sites
• Preservation Chicago is advocating for landmark designation and restoration of the site
• Efforts include potential conversion into a shrine or educational visitor center
• The reunion highlights both the pope’s personal history and the broader importance of preserving historic urban religious structures
• Pope Leo XIV has no current plans to return to the United States