This past weekend, Catholics across the U.S. celebrated a momentous occasion during Sunday services, marking the first time in history that they worshipped under the leadership of an American pope in the Vatican. On Thursday, the College of Cardinals elected Chicago-born Robert Prevost to lead the global Catholic Church, which encompasses approximately 1.4 billion adherents worldwide. Prevost has chosen the papal name Pope Leo XIV, a significant milestone for Catholics in the United States.
The election of the first American pontiff has ignited a sense of pride among U.S. Catholics. New Orleans resident Meaghan Gibson shared her excitement about Pope Leo XIV, particularly because of his family’s historical ties to her city. "He seems very down to earth, and the fact that his family comes from New Orleans is amazing," Gibson, 37, told NPR member station WWNO's Rosemary Westwood. She expressed hope that the new pope would visit the city during his papacy, highlighting the connection between the pontiff's grandparents, Joseph and Louise Martinez, who lived in New Orleans before relocating to Chicago between 1910 and 1912.
According to the Historic New Orleans Collection, the Martinez family home was situated on land that was later repurposed for highway construction. Gibson reflected, "If that had not been built, the family might've still been here. It's very amazing to see that happen and know his grandparents got married just down the street from our home church."
Attendees at various churches across the nation expressed their enthusiasm for Pope Leo XIV. Angie Spencer, attending services at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church in Houston, told The Texas Newsroom's Lucio Vasquez about her grandson's excitement over the new pope. "He just told me in church today, 'You know what, grandma? I'm going to be a priest and then I'm going to be a bishop and then I'm going to be a pope,'" she recounted, noting that even young parishioners are inspired by this historic event.
Spencer, 74, shared her hopes that Pope Leo XIV would continue the charitable efforts of his predecessor, Pope Francis, particularly in reaching out to the poor and promoting global unity. With a laugh, she added, "I've seen a lot of popes! I loved Pope Francis, and I believe Pope Leo will follow right along in his footsteps and do even greater things."
In Chicago, the atmosphere was jubilant as residents celebrated Pope Leo XIV's election. At Holy Name Cathedral, worshippers eagerly took selfies in front of a congratulatory billboard for the new pope, as reported by Chicago Public Media's Jake Wittich. Chicago native Sara Schroeder described the mass as beautiful and noted the priest's enthusiasm for Pope Leo. "People were cheering that he's from Chicago, and there was applause every time that was mentioned," she said. Her daughter, Caitlin Thigpen, added, "It's like he's the hometown hero."
In Washington, D.C., the evening mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle transformed into a heartfelt thanksgiving for the newly elected pope. Father Isaac Sagastume expressed a hopeful sentiment for the universal church, saying, "May the universal church receive its new pastor with joy and a renewed sense of missionary zeal." As Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate, the Catholic community is filled with anticipation for the future of the Church under his leadership.
