Villanova University in Pennsylvania - where Pope Leo XIV graduated - closed after receiving threat of violence
The university once attended by Pope Leo XIV has been closed following a threat of violence.
A university has been closed after receiving a threat of violence, local news sources have reported. The threat targeted an academic building of Villanova University in Pennsylvania on Thursday (January 22), according to 6abc news.
At around 7.20am an alert was sent to students. They have been advised to stay in their halls of residence or, if they live off campus, to stay away. Staff have also been told to remain off-campus.
The campus has been closed out of an “abundance of caution”, say officials, as they determine the validity of the threat. It is understood at least one other university has also received a similar threat.
The FBI, Villanova's Public Safety Department and local law enforcement are all investigating and there will be an increased police presence on campus.
The idyllic campus of Villanova University is a private Catholic research university, founded by the Order of Saint Augustine in 1842 and named after Saint Thomas of Villanova. Its most famous alumnus is Pope Leo XIV, the first and only American-born pope, who graduated in 1977, making Villanova the only American university with a pope among its alumni.