Wisconsin Nun Reflects on Her Former Chicago Student: Pope Leo XIV

Ever since Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago was elected the new Pope, following the death of Pope Francis, social media has been alive with memes and reactions to the first American to hold the papacy. The acknowledgements have come in many different forms, including a Chicago chain restaurant naming a sandwich after the new Pope Leo XIV.

One of many fascinating tidbits of info to emerge since Pope Leo XIV's election is one that comes from an elderly nun in Wisconsin, who taught the Pope, then just "Bob" Prevost, during his theological education in Chicago. Fox 32 Chicago caught up with the woman, who had glowing words about her former student.

READ MORE: Chicago Chain Pays Homage to Pope Leo XIV with Delicious New Sandwich

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Sister Dianne Bergant spoke to Fox 32 Chicago about her time teaching the man she called "Bob" during the 1978-79 school year at Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago. When she found out he would be the Pope, she described being "overwhelmed with emotion," in disbelief that one of her students is now the head of the highest office in the Catholic Church:

I taught the Pope how to understand the Bible. You don't figure that's gonna be part of your life. It sounds so strange, you know, but I did - Sister Dianne Bergant, per Fox 32 Chicago

Sister Bergant taught Prevost when he was in his early twenties. He took Bergant's Intro to the Old Testament class as well as subsequent classes after that.

Sister Bergant described Prevost as "an 'A' student" and someone who was very punctual, always on time for her lectures. She added that she taught at CTU for 45 years, and last saw Prevost during an ordination for another priest in Chicago. That was about a decade ago.

Sister Bergant expressed strong belief that Pope Leo XIV will continue serving his duty the same way he has for the entirety of life, which includes time as a missionary in Peru:

"He [spent] 20 years with the poor in, in a foreign country, so committed to them he becomes a national a citizen [....] and you don't turn that off. First of all, you know, it's gotta be there for you to stay there for 20 years. So he's got that kind of a commitment. And that he names himself after Leo XIII, who was the champion of the working class - Sister Dianne Bergant, per Fox 32 Chicago

In my opinion, one of the most important things Sister Bergant contextualized during her interview is that while it's a wonderful thing that America has its first Pope, Prevost knows in his heart is that his responsibility goes far beyond the United States. His actions, teachings, and methods of servitude have to be global, which she believes he'll honor.

See the full interview with Sister Dianne Bergant on Fox 32 Chicago's website.