Colin Whipkey admits that he wouldn’t be telling the truth if he said he really knew Robert Francis Prevost while the two were studying at Villanova University from 1973 to 1977.
“It wasn’t like we crossed paths too often. He was a mathematics major; I was in the business college. But I did know of him.”
Whipkey watched the announcement of his fellow Villanova grad’s election at Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill, where he has been a substitute teacher these past four years. On his reaction to watching Pope Leo XIV arrive in front of the cheering masses at Saint Peter’s Square, Whipkey repeated one word.
“Amazing, amazing, amazing.”
“He was a nice guy, social and unique in that he was a student all the way from Chicago. Back then, Villanova was more of a regionalized school,” said Whipkey, the husband of past Camden Catholic president Mary Whipkey.
As the news hit, Whipkey’s college friends started calling, texting and e-mailing each other – “each very excited, proud and pleasantly surprised that we have an American pope, one whom we were classmates with.”
Whipkey hopes the local media buzz surrounding Pope Leo helps others become aware of his classmate’s faith and missionary heart. “Pope Leo can be an impetus to drive people to the Church,” he said.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
