Villanova University’s Father DePrinzio has kept in touch with Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, since they met more than 20 years ago.
Now, Villanova’s vice president of Campus Mission and Ministry has received a divine assignment to serve in Rome, writes Christie Illeto for 6abc.
“Very humbling – it still hasn’t even quite sunk in. To be voted and chosen from your brothers to serve in this way is very humbling, for sure,” he said.
Father DePrinzio will be one of six Assistants General for the Order of St. Augustine. He learned the news a week ago.
He has known Pope Leo XIV since 1999, when he was the Superior of the Midwest area of the friars.
Pope Leo XIV also led the mass for DePrinzio’s final professional vows in 2003 at Villanova.
“It’s crazy to know that the Pope knows my name, DePrinzio said.
The pope is a “very grounded person, and I think leads with humility, but he’s also somebody that’s a community man,” he said.
DePrinzio jokes that the only Italian he knows is “gelato,” “pizza,” and “pasta,” so they will be providing him a language tutor.
He expects to start his role at the end of this year or early next year.
Read more about Father DePrinzio’s new role at 6abc.
