NEW LENOX, Ill. (WLS) — Parishioners at St. Jude Catholic Church are helping Pope Leo XIV ring in a new decade.
He celebrates his birthday on Sunday, and those who know him best are giving some guidance for going into the new year.
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A group of people from a parish in New Lenox gathered to wish Pope Leo a happy birthday. His brother, John Prevost, mentioned to ABC7 that for the pope’s 70th birthday, he hopes his younger brother achieves success in multiple areas.
“I said, ‘When you go downstairs, hold on to the railing. We don’t want to be falling at the age of 70,'” Prevost said.
Prevost says even after his brother became the pope, he still gets a call every single night.
Prevost explained how they engage in conversations that provide a mental break from the pope’s heavy responsibilities of leading the church. They discuss light topics such as, “Who did you meet today during your audiences?” or “What did you have for lunch?”
He added that they play Words With Friends to help alleviate the stress associated with the papal duties, which now involve addressing gun violence issues.
“He can only present a Catholic Christian perspective, advocating for peace and stating that we are not a society that endorses violence. There’s simply no space for hatred,” Prevost conveyed.
Both the loving brother and Pastor Ray Flores of St. Jude Catholic Church were there in Rome when then-Rob Prevost became Pope Leo.
“He’s able to crystallize very complex theological concepts into ways that people can take and live in their ordinary life,” Flores said.
Prevost said, “They just ordered out pizza because he can’t leave.”
When asked if one of his brother’s initial meals as pope was pizza, Prevost confirmed, “Indeed, until a certain point, he had to prepare his meals himself, which included pizza.”
Prevost clarified it was thin-crust pizza, not the deep-dish kind. This anecdote serves as a reminder that regardless of his global position, the pope remains the humble younger brother they’ve always cherished.
“When he came out on the balcony, it was, ‘Oh my gosh,'” Prevost said. “And then, when you listen to him talk, I thought, ‘This is him.'”
“This is proof to the world that the spirit is moving,” Prevost added.
Pope Leo’s birthday is on Sunday
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