Area bishops greet news of new pope with joy
It was with joy and prayers that bishops of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and Greensburg greeted the news that American cardinal Robert Prevost had been elected as the new pope.
Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh welcomed the faithful of the Diocese of Pittsburgh to join Catholics around the world in prayerful celebration of the announcement of the 266th successor of St. Peter – Pope Leo XIV.
“With joy and gratitude, I welcome the news of Pope Leo XIV’s election,” the bishop said. “We pray for him as he begins his ministry as the Holy Father. May he be a source of Christ’s love, mercy and unity for the church and the world.”
Zubik plans to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at 7 p.m. Monday at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland, which will be available at www.ChristianAssociatesTV.org and the diocesan YouTube channel.
A special section of the diocesan website has been created to share prayer resources, educational materials and updates at diopiit.org/papal-election.
The homepage of the diocese’s website simply states, “We Have a New Pope.”
Bishop Larry J. Kulick of the Diocese of Greensburg also spoke with joy about the announcement of a new pontiff.
“We just received such wonderful news, habemus papam, we have a new pope” the bishop said. “On behalf of all of the clergy, the religious and the faithful of the Diocese of Greensburg, I want to not only wish the new Holy Father all of God’s richest blessings but assure him of our prayers for him as he begins his Petrine ministry.
“It is also wonderful for the church to rejoice throughout the world that we have received our first American pope,” he continued. “So, we as American Catholics, our heart is doubly filled with joy that one of our own has been called to this humbling, yet very important office in the church. We pray that Pope Leo XIV may be blessed by God with strength, health and peace as he begins his Petrine ministry in leading us all. We pledge our fidelity, our love and our prayers to him.”