Loyola University New Orleans Hosts Conversation with First African American Cardinal
News related to:Loyola University New Orleans · 2 min read
New Orleans, LA, Oct. 20, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- On Thursday, November 5, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Loyola University New Orleans will host a special event featuring a conversation between President Xavier A. Cole and His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington. The event, part of Black Catholic History Month, will take place in the St. Charles Room of the Danna Student Center.
Cardinal Gregory, the first African American cardinal in the Catholic Church, will discuss faith, hope, and charity with President Cole. Both men are converts to the Catholic faith, and their personal journeys to Catholicism will be explored during the conversation. The event is free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to RSVP at https://www.loyno.edu/cardinalconversation.
Cardinal Gregory's historic leadership and witness have had a profound impact on the Catholic Church in the United States. His decades of service include his time as Archbishop of Washington, Archbishop of Atlanta, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Canizaro Center for Catholic Studies at Loyola University New Orleans is hosting the event in recognition of Black Catholic History Month. The center advances the Catholic intellectual tradition and Jesuit spirituality through opportunities for learning, faith formation, service, and worship. The center offers programs and experiences that encourage students and members of the broader community to explore the Catholic faith and its intellectual and spiritual traditions.
Loyola University New Orleans, a Jesuit, Catholic university that welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds, is rooted in the Jesuit tradition. The university educates the whole person and prepares students to lead meaningful lives with and for others through academic excellence, service, and a commitment to justice.
The event is part of a series of activities celebrating Black Catholic History Month at Loyola University New Orleans. The university aims to honor the contributions and experiences of Black Catholics in the United States and to foster a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith among its students and the broader community.