The exciting news in 2025 was the selection of a new Pope for the Catholic Church. The announcement surprised and galvanized the world. Robert Prevost is a  Chicago native and a Cardinal with a long resume of international service to the church. He has strong scholarly achievements and a noted commitment to serving the poor and marginalized. And he promises to continue the legacy of his predecessor Pope Francis. He is a leader for our time and devoted to the Christian faith. Reading about his background I was taken aback by how I could relate to his early life. I too grew up in a devout Catholic family in New York. Like Leo, I went to a minor seminary for high school. But then our paths divided as I drifted from faith and practice after high school and college.

I came back to my Christian faith in my thirties but not to Catholicism after college. I reflect on the choices I made that took me far way from Leo’s experience as a priest. I know that my mother had hoped I could have stayed the course like the Pope. But the early similarities strike me as I stand in admiration of his devotion and career journey. It is one small note for me that we share the same birthday, September 14th. For him it’s a celebration of a life devoted to his calling. For me it’s a life journey filled with my own delights and memories of learning and love. We each took our journey. He got to be the Pope! I became a comedian. Sorry Mom. I never got to be pope. But I am praying for you Robert … er…Pope Leo!