MONMOUTH, ILLINOIS (May 12, 2025) — There have been popes for about 2,000 years. For the first time ever, one was born less than 250 miles from Monmouth.
That is one of many notable facts about former Cardinal Robert Prevost, who last week was named the successor to the late Pope Francis. The Rev Dr John Huxtable, who serves as Monmouth College's chaplain, weighed in with a few opinions on Prevost, who has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.
"That name is an echo to Leo XIII, who was huge on social justice," said Huxtable of the pope who served from 1878 to 1913. "That opened the door for the social doctrine of the church. He was for the betterment of all people, including the disenfranchised, the marginalized."
Huxtable looks for Leo XIV to continue his namesake's legacy.
"From everything I've read, he's a great listener and a very stable presence," he said. "The more I hear about him, the more hopeful I'm becoming. He was a strong supporter of Pope Francis," who had a similar outlook on society as Leo XIII. "The new pope represents a continuing of the shift you saw under Pope Francis."
Unwritten rules
Leo XIV also continues another shift. When Francis assumed the papacy in 2013, he was the first pope born or raised outside of Europe since the eighth century. Leo was born in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago in 1955.
"That's extremely significant," said Huxtable. "It's like the unwritten rule of baseball - if a hitter gets a home run, the next hitter gets a pitch high and tight. The unwritten rule with popes is that you don't name an American. The United States is too much of a superpower already. It's common knowledge that you don't do that. So this opens the door for other unwritten rules to be broken. To say I was shocked that an American was named would be the most understated statement. The cardinals are trying to follow the Holy Spirit, not common knowledge."
Newly-elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost, arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave in The Vatican on May 8, 2025
Huxtable commented that Francis was "the people's pope." What will Pope Leo do?
"Francis came to the papacy and made it even more prolific, if that's possible," he said. "Pope Leo is a little more reserved and will be a little less in the spotlight."
But still, he'll be in the spotlight to a large degree.
"The pope crosses all the boundaries," said Huxtable. "He doesn't just speak for a country. He speaks for every country in the world. He brings a spiritual understanding to Christianity that nobody else does. It's important to listen to his voice. The pope's voice has been critical in the geopolitical landscape. He can shatter some of the nationalistic dialogue. He can be a leader with that."
A Catholic majority
Huxtable said he could go on and on about the new pope and his significance.
"I'm the geek who follows this like a sporting event," he said.
Which brings up an interesting point — how closely was Monmouth College and the surrounding community following the developments since Pope Francis's death on April 21?
Of Monmouth students who claim a religious affiliation, one-third or a little higher are Catholic, said Huxtable. For the city itself, that number is even higher due to its large Latin American population base.
"Catholicism is the predominant religion for Latin Americans," said Huxtable. "Monmouth could be as high as 55-60% Catholic, and I think you can say it's over 50% pretty safely."
For the most part, Huxtable was pleased and excited by last week's news.
"I only have one complaint - he's a White Sox fan," said Huxtable.
It sounds like the life-long Cubs fan might have to break another unwritten rule and root for a Sox supporter.
