Jetlagged but excited, Pope Leo XIV’s brother John Prevost is catching up on daily life after a whirlwind few days in the Vatican.

Sister Dianne Bergant recalls teaching Robert "Bob" Prevost—now Pope Leo XIV—during his time at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Bergant taught the future pope in an Old Testament class and says he was a reliable,

In his first days as pope, Leo XIV has struck many as an unassuming man of quiet warmth and deeply rooted identity. A visit to the part of Chicago where the first American Pontiff was raised gives an idea of how he got that way.

Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, said he expects Pope Leo XIV "feels an obligation," to speak to what he called the issues of the day, amid "real challenges globally."

Chicagoans celebrated the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the U.S. and a Chicago native, with joy and hope for a renewed focus on social justice and unity within the Catholic Church.

Heather and Dominic Jaroch tell PEOPLE about the time Pope Leo XIV, then simply known as “Father Bob," flew back to Chicago to preside over their wedding as a favor to her late father Ed

The election of Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, as the new pontiff has delighted Catholics and officials alike.

Something like this is a nice little shot in the arm for the organization,” said chief revenue and marketing officer Brooks Boyer.