Habemus Papam: Welcoming Our New Pope on Campus

By Rosie Chinea Shawver, M.Div.

The white smoke has risen. The bells of St. Peter’s have rung. And with great joy, the Church proclaims once again: Habemus Papam! - “We have a Pope!”

This moment always stirs something deep in the heart of the Church. Whether you were glued to a livestream, saw the headline in your feed, or heard the news in passing, the election of a new pope offers a rare and sacred pause, a chance to reflect, celebrate, and reconnect with the global Church in a profoundly human way.

This time, it’s especially historic.

Born in Chicago, the new Holy Father is the first North American pope, a shepherd who knows the heartbeat of American life, yet who has lived and ministered beyond borders. He speaks to the world not just from one place, but for every place. He reminds us that Catholic means universal. And yet, what’s even more striking is not where he comes from, but where he wants to take us.

A Pope Rooted in Rerum Novarum

In one of his first remarks to the press, the Holy Father cited Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum, a foundational text in Catholic Social Teaching. For those of us in campus ministry, this is no small detail. It signals a papacy deeply attuned to justice, dignity, and the challenges of modern labor, migration, poverty, and polarization.

For me personally, this moment struck a special chord. I happened to be at the University of Notre Dame with the McGrath Institute for Church Church Life for a national gathering on service and justice, hosted in partnership with the Lilly Endowment Inc., where we were actively unpacking the very principles of Catholic Social Teaching. It felt providential, even poetic, that Pope Leo XIII, the architect of Rerum Novarum, was chosen as the papal namesake while we were immersed in conversations about how to form students for justice, solidarity, and Gospel-rooted action.

Rerum Novarum isn’t dusty doctrine, it’s living wisdom. It’s a call to form consciences and change systems. It’s also one of the most compelling reasons for many young people (myself included!) continue to say “yes” to the Church.

Simple Ways to Celebrate the New Pope in Campus Ministry

  1. Host a “Habemus Papam” Campus Party
    Celebrate the new pontiff with global snacks (empanadas, cannoli, pierogi, etc.), a short prayer service, and a livestream or replay of his first address. Hand out cards with his name, papal motto, and prayer intentions.

  2. Launch a “Get to Know the Pope” Series
    Create a bulletin board, social media series, or podcast episode featuring his background, key quotes, and his vision for the Church. Include student reactions or prayer responses.

  3. Encourage Students to Write the Pope a Letter
    Invite students to write a personal message, prayer, or question for the Holy Father. Send a batch of them to the Vatican - or post them publicly to show your campus’ solidarity with the new shepherd.

  4. Offer a Holy Hour or Campus Mass for the Pope
     Join the global Church in prayer for him. Include special petitions for wisdom, courage, and unity.

Summer Ideas: Celebrating the New Pope, Even from Afar

Even if your students have already left campus for the summer, this historic moment is still an opportunity for connection, formation, and faith-sharing. Here are a few ways to engage students remotely:

  1. “Pope of the People” Instagram Series
    Share weekly posts or stories introducing one fun fact about the new pope, a quote from Rerum Novarum, or a prayer for him. Invite students to share their reactions or repost with their own reflections.

  2. Mail a “Habemus Papam” Care Package
    Send a small packet to your student leaders or incoming freshmen with a handwritten note, a prayer card for the new pope, and a brief intro to Catholic Social Teaching.

  3. Host a Virtual Coffee & Conversation
    Invite students to join a 30-minute summer Zoom for prayer and reflection on the new pope’s first messages. Use a few quotes or clips from his early homilies to spark conversation.

  4. Start a Summer “Mini Book Club”
    Choose a short resource or podcast episode on Rerum Novarum, CST, or the role of the papacy. Offer a simple reading guide or create a GroupMe thread for discussion.

  5. Encourage Students to Send a Prayer to Rome
    Provide a digital form or simple Google Doc where students can write prayers for the pope. Send a selection of them as a letter to the Vatican later this summer - a beautiful gesture of unity.

  6. Add a “Pray for the Pope” Banner to Your Website
    Create a digital banner or button linking to a prayer for the pope and a brief message of welcome. It keeps the papal news visible and prayerful throughout the summer.

  7. Feature the Pope in Your First Fall Welcome Activities
    Begin planning now to include the new pope’s image, prayer, or message in your fall welcome Mass, bulletin board, or student leader training. Let this moment carry forward into the next school year.

The Pope of the World and for the World

This papacy begins at a time of great uncertainty and great hope. The Church, especially young adults, longs for healing, vision, and leadership rooted in Christ. The fact that our new pope emerges from North America but speaks as a pastor for all people is a profound sign of our unity-in-diversity.

Let us remind our students: the pope is not a distant figure in Rome. He is our spiritual father and this moment belongs to us too.

May this new beginning renew our zeal to love, to serve, and to live out the Gospel with joy.

And let’s pray for Pope Leo XIV, that his life and leadership may do just that.

Viva il Papa!

Rosie Chinea Shawver