HOLLAND — The election of the first pope from the United States last month has drawn a wide spectrum of reactions from Catholics around the world.

Many Catholic leaders in Ottawa County, however, are celebrating Pope Leo XIV's ties to West Michigan.

Leo, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, was born in Chicago in 1955. The now 69-year-old spent two decades as a missionary in Peru, returning later as a bishop.

He has voiced support for causes that typified the papacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, including social justice and environmentalism, which Ottawa County church leaders say embody Leo's qualifications and how he will lead the Church.

“I think that we were as surprised as everyone else at the election of Pope Leo XIV,” said Rev. William Vander Werff of Spring Lake’s St. Mary’s Catholic Church. “I personally did not expect to see a pope from the U.S. in my own lifetime.”

Leo attended St. Augustine Seminary High School in Holland, now known as Felt Mansion and Shore Acres Park, graduating in 1973. The pope spent his formative years at the West Michigan boarding school, meant for boys in grades 9-12. While the seminary instructed hundreds of students at the time, its population dwindled, leading to the property eventually being purchased by Laketown Township for $1.

Detroit Catholic reported that Leo was consistently an honor-roll student, served as editor-in-chief of the seminary’s yearbook, vice president of his student council, Library Club president and took part in both National Honor Society and the school’s Mission Club.

“To have a pope who comes from so close to home, born, raised and educated in the context of Midwest American culture and society, is almost hard to fathom, although admittedly after a couple weeks I am beginning to get used to the idea,” Vander Werff added.

Vander Werff noted that while he is proud to see the appointment of a Midwestern pope, he believes anyone in the world can be chosen — in different ways — to carry out the Catholic Church’s mission.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you look like — that’s superficial. What’s deep down, what’s (in) his heart is what we’re interested in.” — Rev. Michael Hodges 

“I personally feel a sense of national pride, but more importantly, find spiritual significance in the American origins of our new pope: that God can choose anyone from anywhere in the world and any background to carry out his work,” Hodges said.

Rev. David Walkowiak, bishop of the Grand Rapids Diocese, noted in a statement that the election of the new pope wasn't just a historical moment for the Universal Catholic Church, but also the Church in the United States. The Grand Rapids Diocese serves 11 West Michigan counties, including Ottawa.

“In a special way, we give thanks and count our blessings for a pope with deep ties to the Midwest,” Walkowiak said.

Rev. Michael Hodges of Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Coopersville and St. Mary Catholic Church in Marne said that while the election of an American pope is interesting, people should look beyond geography and at Leo’s qualifications. 

“We don’t want any snap judgments, but (parishioners are) looking forward to a fruitful pontificate,” Hodges said. “I think they’re more interested in how he deals with social and religious issues. They’re looking for a leader of the faith, not necessarily a hometown boy.” 

Support Our Work

Ottawa News Network is a nonprofit news service dedicated to providing the residents of Ottawa County with trustworthy, community-driven news. ONN treats journalism as a public good — something that enriches lives and empowers Ottawa County’s 300,000-plus residents to stay engaged, make informed decisions, and strengthen local democracy. Please consider giving today.

To Hodges, people should be paying attention to Leo’s experience being “everything from a parish priest to a cardinal,” and seeing how he will lead the Catholic Church in the coming years.

“I don’t think they chose Pope Leo because he’s an American, but because he served most of his time in South America,” said Hodges. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you look like — that’s superficial. What’s deep down, what’s (in) his heart is what we’re interested in.” 

— Contact ONN reporter Hailey Hentz at hhentz@ottawanewsnetwork.org.