ROME—The 15 priests and priests-to-be stood in a circle in the seminary lobby for their morning prayer. Led by a deacon in a Minnesota Wild hockey T-shirt, they worked through a hymn and then on to the book of Romans, their clear voices echoing through the room. A few wore the traditional black shirt and collar. Most went with shorts and flip-flops.

The one who arrived late, the one they barely noticed, was wearing a Captain America costume.

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