Robert F. Prevost, who would later become Pope Leo XIV, expressed his support for a significant Illinois legislative move back in 2011.
Documents obtained through a public records request revealed that on March 9, 2011, Prevost sent a message of gratitude to then-Governor Pat Quinn for signing into law the abolition of the death penalty in Illinois.
The message, submitted via an online form on the governor’s website, stated, “Dear Governor Quinn, THANK YOU for your courageous decision in signing into law the elimination of the death penalty. I know it was a difficult decision, but I applaud your vision and your understanding of the very complex matter. You have my full support! Sincerely, Robert F. Prevost.”
Quinn, surprised to learn of the note’s existence, expressed a desire to frame it, stating, “Can you text me a copy of the letter?”
While the Holy See has yet to confirm the authenticity of the note, evidence suggests that the Robert F. Prevost who sent it resided at the address of a home owned by Pope Leo XIV’s brother, John Prevost, in New Lenox, Illinois.
Before his papacy, Prevost had a lengthy career as a missionary and served as a bishop in Chiclayo, Peru. At the time Quinn signed the act into law, he was the international leader of the Augustinian religious order.
Since becoming the first U.S.-born pontiff, Prevost has embraced his Chicago roots, reflecting on his upbringing during a live-streamed address to thousands at Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox.
Prevost’s political inclinations remain somewhat of a mystery to many Illinois political figures, with reports showing he pulled Republican primary ballots during the years 2012, 2014, and 2016 while registered at his brother’s New Lenox address.
His note to Quinn is notable as it marks the first known instance where Prevost has publicly commented on a contentious local political issue in Illinois.
The push to abolish the death penalty in Illinois saw significant support from Catholic organizations, and many church leaders praised Quinn’s decision.
When the bill was placed on the table, several bishops, including then-Cardinal Francis George of Chicago and Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, publicly stated that society’s need for protection no longer warranted the death penalty.
Following the enactment of the law, the Catholic Conference of Illinois released a statement celebrating the move, affirming, “No longer will there be a risk in Illinois that an innocent person will be convicted and sentenced to death.”
Quinn’s journey to sign the death penalty ban was a challenging one. He engaged in discussions with a variety of stakeholders, including prosecutors, victims’ families, judges, and individuals who were wrongfully convicted, investing two months in dialogue to navigate the issue.
The former governor reflected that the decision represented a moral choice, stating at the signing event, “There are other means of punishing violent, evil people who commit heinous crimes, other than the state terminating their life.”
His decisions also included commuting the sentences of every person on death row at the time to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
In a significant political act eight years earlier, then-Governor George Ryan had commuted the sentences of all 167 people on death row after instituting a moratorium on executions.
Quinn noted that his views on capital punishment resonated with those of Ryan, despite their differences on other political issues.
“I saved one pen from the signing,” Quinn shared. “I sent it to Gov. James Thompson, who was Ryan’s attorney at the time … and I asked Thompson to give Ryan the pen.”
Quinn attributed much of his moral perspective regarding such weighty issues to his Catholic education and the teachings of religious leaders.
Notably, he cited discussions with important figures like the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, who had a significant influence on his views about life and death.
Having a strong Catholic upbringing, he also expressed resonance with the message of peace and wisdom present in the Biblical texts.
Quinn noted he was inspired by reading Bernardin’s book, “The Gift of Peace,” before arriving at his pivotal decision to end capital punishment.
Despite lacking a personal connection with Prevost, Quinn identified him as a man of conscience and expressed confidence in his ability to serve well as pope.
Quinn mentioned, “Just reading about this life … I know he will do a good job on behalf of all. I’ll try to [reach out to him] now.”
In the wake of signing the death penalty repeal, Quinn received numerous messages of support from high-profile figures, including Desmond Tutu, Sister Helen Prejean, and actor Martin Sheen.
However, Quinn remarked, “But getting a letter or an email from the future pope, you can’t beat that. That’s for sure.”
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