By Barb Arland-Fye
The Catholic Messenger
To Sister Phyllis Morris, a Clinton Franciscan, newly elected Pope Leo XIV is “Bob Prevost,” the young priest she met in the mid-1980s while both were serving in the Diocese of Chulucanas in Piura, Peru. They lived at the diocesan chancery along with other priests and women religious serving in the region and got to know each other over the dinner table.
“He was very much a Church guy but also related very well to all the common people,” recalled Sister Morris, who served in the Chulucanas Diocese for more than 50 years. Father Prevost “was a wonderful guy, very honest, down to earth … He got along with everybody.” While she described him as “kind of quiet,” she also said he always had something to say and was a good conversationalist. They kept in touch periodically over the years; she sent emails each time he received a new appointment – as bishop, archbishop and cardinal. “He always emailed back immediately,” she said.
Their familiarity, however, didn’t prepare her for Cardinal Prevost’s appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on May 8 as the 267th successor of St. Peter. “I was stunned, I never expected that,” said Sister Morris, who resides at the Canticle, the motherhouse of the Clinton Franciscans in Clinton. “I emailed him after the election and said, ‘Oh my God, what have you done? We’ll be praying for you.’ He emailed back and wrote, ‘Thanks for the prayers,’” she said.
An Augustinian priest, he arrived at the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas in 1985 while preparing for his doctoral thesis. He got to know the Peruvians while celebrating Mass with them, Sister Morris said. “A couple of my Peruvian friends gave me a call today to say how thrilled they were that he was elected – just poor people – they remember him so well.” (Later, he served as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru.)
She appreciates that the new pope chose the name Leo. “That tells a lot about him. He was strong in social justice, as was Pope Leo XIII,” whose encyclical “Rerum Novarum,” published May 15, 1891, was the Church’s first social encyclical and laid the groundwork for Catholic Social Teaching. “I am sure that (Pope Leo XIV) will follow the line of Francis, calling for justice for the poor,” Sister Morris said.
“He will uphold Catholic Social teaching, which is important to us as Sisters of St. Francis,” said Sister Jan Cebula, the community’s president. He began his introduction with “Peace be with all of you,” which also encouraged Sister Cebula. Her community’s mission is living and promoting active nonviolence and peacemaking.
Father Robert Prevost poses with children while serving in Peru.
Committed to the Church
“The news of Cardinal Prevost’s election as the new Holy Father moved me deeply,” said Miguel Moreno, the Davenport Diocese’s director of Multicultural Ministry and a native of Peru. “The Lord often works in ways that surprise and inspire us, and in Cardinal Prevost, I saw a man of steadfast commitment to the Church, especially through his role in the Congregation for Bishops. His election marked not just a transition, but the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the Church— a moment of grace with a shepherd ready to lead Christ’s flock with wisdom and faith.”
“I wouldn’t say I knew Cardinal Prevost personally, but our paths may have crossed during my visits to Chiclayo, Peru, or in two occasions in CTU (Catholic Theological Union in Chicago). Even from a distance, his reputation spoke volumes. He was known as a thoughtful, humble, and capable leader — someone deeply committed to his mission and to the people he served. That impression of integrity and quiet strength has always stayed with me.”
Moreno believes that Pope Leo’s ties to Peru “will likely bring a rich and grounded perspective to his papacy. His years of service in Latin America have given him an intimate understanding of both the beauty and the struggles of the region. He has witnessed firsthand the deep faith of its people, as well as the social and economic challenges they face. I believe this experience will foster a papacy marked by a strong sense of solidarity with the poor, a keen awareness of global inequalities, and a pastoral approach rooted in compassion, justice, and accompaniment.”
If Moreno could offer a word of advice to Pope Leo, it would be this: “Lead with humility, and never stop listening with an open heart. The people of God yearn to be heard, especially those on the margins. Let compassion guide every decision, and may your words and actions always reflect the mercy and light of Christ. Above all, hold close the warmth and resilience you encountered in Peru. This gift can continue to inspire your ministry to the universal Church. May the Holy Spirit be your constant guide!”
Focused on accompaniment
Peruvian native Carlos Valdez of St. Anthony Parish in Davenport said his family in South America shared their excitement about the new pope and his connection to Peru. “Peruvian people feel blessed,” Valdez said. “They are very happy to have another pope from South America.” Valdez expresses delight that Pope Leo speaks “perfect Spanish with a Peruvian accent.”
(Reporter Lindsay Steele contributed to this story.)
