Pope Leo XIV met with ten of his former classmates from St. Mary of the Assumption in Chicago after the general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on March 18.
The reunion brought together friends who graduated from the lower school in 1969, nearly sixty years ago, highlighting the enduring bonds formed during their early education. The group traveled to Rome to reconnect and celebrate their classmate, now serving as the 266th successor of St. Peter.
During the meeting, Pope Leo XIV posed for photos with his old friends, holding up their eighth-grade graduation picture alongside them. Sherry Stone (née Blue) greeted her former classmate with a sign reading “God bless you Pope Leo,” and shared memories of their time together. “Sorry! I’m nervous,” she laughed as her sign slipped from her grasp while shaking hands with Pope Leo XIV—formerly Robert F. Prevost.
Jerome Clemens pointed out Prevost in their graduation photo and showed both his original autograph and a new one signed “Leo XIV.” Among gifts presented was a recent issue of “Air Chicago” magazine featuring Pope Leo’s election as its cover story.
John Riggio described the school environment as close-knit, saying it felt more like a family than just an academic institution. Stone recalled that Prevost’s mother worked at the school as a librarian and was active in parish life. She also remembered him expressing his dream of becoming pope when they were young: “When he was in the conclave, I thought, ‘Could it be him? Could Bob be the new pope? No, probably not,'” Stone said. “When I saw that it was him, I was just amazed. I was crying tears of joy.” She described him as kind and well-liked by classmates: “He was a super nice guy, but not nerdy.”
After graduating middle school, Prevost attended St. Augustine Seminary High School near Saugatuck, Michigan before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Villanova University.
