Pope Leo XIV calls for end to wars in Ukraine, Gaza

A friend and former classmate of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV is singing the new pontiff's praises has he ascends as the leader of the Catholic Church.

The Rev. Mark Francis described the pontiff as "low key," focused, "very thorough" and "an extremely good listener." He expects his friend to "continue along the lines of Pope Francis" but bring his own style.

"I am still amazed at the results of this election -- very happy, mainly because this humble, good person is going to be leading the church," Francis said.

3:47

Friend and former roommate to Pope Leo XIV describes their relationshipABC News’ Linsey Davis spoke with a former high school and college classmate of Pope Leo XIV. The Rev. Mark Francis recounts the type of student the new pope was and their recent reunion in Chicago.

ABCNews.com

Francis met Leo, then Robert Francis Prevost, in 1977 at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where they were both seminararians -- or religious students -- and in the same theological reflection group. During discussions, Leo could always be counted on to contribute thoughtfully to the conversations, Francis said.

Throughout their decades-long friendship, Francis has known the new pope as "Bob."

"It's going to take me a while to get used to calling him Pope Leo," Francis said.

James Priestley has known Pope Leo XIV for decades, rooming with him in high school and attending Villanova University at the same time. He told ABC News it was "quite a shock" to learn his longtime friend had become the new pope.

At the same time, he said, "If you were going to imagine somebody to become pope, it would be Bob."

"He was a very religious guy, very bright guy and very organized," Priestley said. "I have no stories about him being bad in any way, shape or form from school."

Priestley said he saw his friend a few times over the years, but the pope was mostly out of the country. When Leo returned to the Chicago area last summer, Priestley said he got to see him at an event at St. Jude’s Church in New Lenox.

"I was very impressed," he said. "His public speaking ability is very, very good."

He said he also reconnected with Leo at that time at a pizza place in Homewood.

Priestley imagines Leo will make it back to the area again, this time as pope.

"I'm sure he'll be back to Chicago because this is his home base," he said. "This is where his brother Augustinians are located."

American-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was in the first grade when a neighbor told him he’d be the first American pope, his brother told ABC News.

Pope Leo XIV, the youngest of three boys who grew up in the Southside of Chicago, always wanted to be a priest, said his middle brother, John Prevost.

"He knew right away," John Prevost said. "I don't think he's ever questioned it. I don't think he's ever thought of anything else."

Read more here.

The first American pope is being featured on a billboard in his home country.

An image of Pope Leo XIV standing on the center balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica after he was elected as the new pontiff was seen on a billboard in Philadelphia on Thursday.

“From the main line to the divine line,” the billboard states.

Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost, is a Chicago native.