Robert D. Kelly, president of the University of Portland, issued a statement Thursday, May 8, shortly after Robert Francis Prevost was named to be the first-ever pope born in the United States.

Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he replaces Pope Francis, who died April 21.

“As Oregon’s Catholic university, the University of Portland joins the Church and the world in celebrating Pope Leo XIV, our new Holy Father, and we pray for him as the successor to Saint Peter and the Bishop of Rome,” Kelly said.

Church bells rang out over the North Portland campus and in downtown Portland when news came, mid-morning, that white smoke had been spotted over the Vatican, indicating that a new pontiff had been named.

Following the news about the white smoke, a bell chimed from the UP bell tower for one hour, until news of Pope Leo’s ascension was announced.

The university will decorate its Chapel of Christ the Teacher in bunting of white and yellow, the colors of the Vatican flag, and will announce plans to celebrate a special Mass for the new pope. The chapel also was used April 29 in a celebration of Mass for Pope Francis

“We at the University of Portland are especially heartened to see an American — and a graduate of American Catholic higher education — assume the Papacy,” Kelly said. “We wish Pope Leo XIV well and send the prayers of all of us in the Pilot community.”

His statement was followed by that of the Rev. Tim Weed, the university’s director of campus ministry. “We pray for our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, and our campus community cannot wait to see how he continues the work of hastening along the coming of God’s kingdom,” Weed said.