A mere two days after taking in a moment of history the Catholic Church and Chicago will never forget, area native Pope Leo XIV will be visited by his brothers in Rome – including New Lenox resident John Prevost. Pope Leo was elected following the 2025 papal conclave on Thursday, with the Dolton native becoming the first-ever American-born pope in the church’s history. The abrupt trip to Rome is the fifth that Prevost has made in his life, with the pope’s brother mentioning he has previously traveled to the Italian capital twice with Pope Leo. As far as being able to inform his brother in advance that he was coming, Prevost told NBC Chicago he was able to speak with the pope briefly via phone. “I told him we were coming. He said, ‘Oh, okay,'” Prevost said. Prevost added that their parents would be “happy and ecstatic” over Thursday’s news, while also speaking on the “awesome responsibility” Pope Leo XIV has as the first person from the United States to lead the Catholic Church. “That’s the thing. because being, look at the first that we are here. The first from the United States, first from Chicago, he’s kind of young. A tremendous responsibility, the world will be watching every step,” Prevost said.
As far as what Prevost will be up to on his visit to see his brother, much remains up in the air. “We’re waiting to see, we’re supposed to have lunch, we’re supposed to go somewhere. We get to travel with the Pope to some special place and we’ll just figure it out. Because we’re only here until Tuesday,” Prevost said. Prevost said he does not have plans to stay for Pope Leo’s installation.
The excitement surrounding Pope Leo XIV’s election is palpable in the streets of Chicago and beyond. Residents of Dolton, where the Pope hails from, have been celebrating non-stop since the news broke. Many are proud to see one of their own rise to such a prestigious position within the Catholic Church. It’s not every day that a native Chicagoan becomes the leader of one of the world’s largest religious institutions.
John Prevost, a New Lenox resident and brother of the newly elected Pope, is no stranger to the spotlight. This isn’t the first time he’s found himself in Rome, accompanying his brother on important visits. The bond between the siblings is evident, with Prevost making the effort to inform the Pope of their impending visit beforehand. The fact that he was able to speak to the Pope directly shows the closeness of their relationship.
The responsibility that comes with being the first American-born Pope is not lost on Pope Leo XIV. There is a sense of weightiness to the role, knowing that the eyes of the world are upon him. Prevost acknowledges this burden, emphasizing the significance of his brother’s position. It’s a lot to take in for someone so young and relatively new to such a high-profile role.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Prevost remains optimistic about their time in Rome. Plans are still being finalized, but there is anticipation for special moments with the Pope. The opportunity to explore the city and spend time with his brother is something Prevost is looking forward to. The visit may be short, but the memories made will last a lifetime.
In the end, the whirlwind of events leading up to Pope Leo XIV’s election and the subsequent visit from his brothers is a testament to the power of faith and family. The journey from Dolton to Rome is one filled with pride, excitement, and a sense of duty. As the first American Pope, Pope Leo XIV has a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the Catholic Church and the world at large. And with his family by his side, he will undoubtedly rise to the occasion.
