Mario Lopez Shares a Heartwarming Story About Meeting Pope Leo XIV While Parenting in Catholic School
Mario Lopez Reflects on Memorable Meeting with Pope Leo XIV
Actor Mario Lopez, best known for his role in Saved By the Bell, shared a touching recollection of meeting Pope Leo XIV during a recent event. The actor described the encounter while attending the Leading Hotels of the World accreditation celebration at Calamigos Ranch Resort & Spa.
Lopez, who visited Italy while working for the Winter Olympics, said, “I just kind of worked some back channels to meet the Holy Father.” His trip included a honeymoon in Florence, Milan, and Rome. “We got to go to mass. It was incredible. I’ll never forget it. He blessed my cross, too,” he added.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, made history as the first pope born in the United States when he assumed his position as head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis.
Lopez has been open about his Catholic faith, emphasizing its importance in his life. “I’ve never been reluctant to be vocal about it,” he noted, stressing that faith provides structure and foundation for his family. “My kids go to Catholic school. It was important for us to have our kids have a faith-based education. So they love it. It’s great. And my daughter goes to an all-girls Catholic school. So it works out well for us.”
The impact of Pope Leo XIV’s appointment has been significant, as reports indicate a resurgence of interest in Catholicism across the U.S. This Easter, the Archdiocese of Detroit welcomed 1,428 new Catholics—its largest influx in 21 years. Other dioceses, from Houston to Des Moines, have observed similar trends.
“In our age of uncertainty, and in our age of great anxiety, there is a thirst and hunger for God and stability that faith brings to people’s lives,” Archbishop Mitchell Thomas Rozanski of St. Louis remarked, highlighting a notable increase in church attendance not seen since 2016.
Lopez reflected on this trend, attributing it to the societal impacts of technology and the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think technology has isolated us,” he explained, “and I think that COVID just really magnified that isolation.” He underscored that many of today’s societal issues, particularly anxiety and depression, stem from this disconnection.
“I’ve been reading reports that more people are turning to Catholicism amid social and political unrest,” Lopez remarked, adding that he views this development positively. “In a world that’s constantly changing and things might get scary, it’s always nice to lean towards faith and something that’s greater than you. It can guide you in ways to give you comfort.”
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