VILLANOVA, Pa. (WPVI) -- Villanova's Father DePrinzio says he's kept in touch with Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV , since meeting more than two decades ago.

Now, the papal friendship is sending the University's Vice President of Campus Mission and Ministry to serve in Rome.

It's a divine assignment that Father DePrinzio says he never expected to be chosen for.

"Very humbling - it still hasn't even quite sunk in. To be voted and chosen from your brothers to serve in this way is very humbling, for sure," he says.

Father DePrinzio says he will be one of six Assistants General for the order of St. Augustine. He learned the news a week ago.

He says he has known Pope Leo XIV since 1999, when he was the Superior of the Midwest area of the friars.

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