By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles
Justin Fontenot, a seminarian for the Diocese of Lake Charles, was blessed with the opportunity to meet Pope Leo XIV with other students in Rome in late August.
Pope Leo received seminarians during a private audience in Clementine Hall in the Apostolic Palace before leading the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square. The visit on Sunday, August 23, 2026, with the newest class members of the Pontifical North American College was a special way for them to say hello as the Holy Father’s newest neighbors.
Justin Fontenot, a seminarian studying in Rome for the Diocese of Lake Charles, greets His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in Clementine Hall in the Apostolic Palace on Sunday, August 23. The Holy Father’s message to the seminarians of the Pontifical North American College was one of encouragement. Justin’s home parish is St. Pius X Catholic Church in Ragley. (Photograph courtesy of the Vatican)
Justin continues his studies in Rome after beginning his first year of Configuration Stage. He is a parishioner of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Ragley and the son of Kevin and Michelle Fontenot of Moss Bluff.
When sharing the news of the papal visit with his family, he said, “They were very excited and in disbelief that I was given such a wonderful opportunity. I told them it was hard to fathom that I was actually in the same room as the pope and was able to shake his hand, yet at the same time the pope seemed so familiar like I had been knowing him for a long time.”
In his brief encounter with Pope Leo, Justin said he shared his name and where he was from with the Holy Father, who replied, “Great!” as he smiled at the Louisiana seminarian. “It was a small exchange but awesome to hear the pope speak perfect English and with an American accent, of course.”
The Holy Father’s message to the seminarians was one of encouragement. The Gospel on August 23 was when Jesus entrusted the Church to St. Peter, calling him to be its rock (Matthew: 16:13-20). Justin noted that this was providential on the day of the audience with Pope Leo.
“The Holy Father joked with all of us that since last year, this Gospel has taken on new meaning for him,” Justin remarked. “The pope encouraged us all in continuing to follow Christ as His disciples. From our time being formed in Rome, as well as the time back in our home dioceses, it is the same Jesus we are following wherever we may be.”
Justin said they were also encouraged to set aside time to practice and speak Italian so that they can fully immerse themselves in the unique culture of Rome and Italy.
The encounter with Pope Leo XIV “sparked an even deeper fire in my heart for the Church,” Justin shared. “He is the living rock that Christ entrusted His Church and this rock has prevailed, even while being constantly beat by so many waves.”
Following his comments, Pope Leo offered a prayer for the seminarians, gave them a blessing, and took a group photo with them. As he was leaving Clementine Hall to pray the Sunday Angelus, the seminarians stopped him briefly to sing, “Ad Multos Annos” praying that the Holy Father would have many more beautiful years as the pope, Justin shared.
“This song is very special to the seminary community here at the Pontifical North American College,” he said. “We could tell that the Holy Father was moved by it.”
Justin said that he is excited about his first year in Rome as he begins theological studies at the University of Saint Thomas Aquina (The Angelicum).
“We will cover various topics from the laws of the Church (Canon Law) to the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible) to Church History as well as the fundamental principles in our belief in God and His Church,” he said.
Residing in the Eternal City is allowing Justin a chance to learn from the Saints buried there, the churches all around, and the history that surrounds the city.
“I have already been able to fall more in love with our Faith which preserves and triumphs in every age,” he remarked, “as we firmly believe it is God both working in us and watching over us.”
In the short time Justin has been in Rome, he said while everything he does is new and exciting, it also presents a learning curve, noting, “All of it is very formative in helping us to grow into good, holy, and capable priests.”
