Local Catholics react to election of Pope Leo XIV
On Thursday afternoon, the Rev. Thomas L. Gillespie of St. Patrick Church of St. Oscar Romero Parish and staff members were live-streaming the Sistine Chapel chimney on their computers when Gillespie shouted, “White smoke, white smoke!”
They rushed into the living room and turned on the television to watch coverage as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, emerged onto the balcony.
Among the staff members was Rosa Huaman, office manager and communications director, who moved from Peru to the United States when she was 10 years old and recently became a U.S. citizen.
“It was an exciting moment. I was shocked,” said Huaman, who said she knew little about Cardinal Prevost before he was elected as the surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion followers. “Someone here said if they were going to choose an American pope, it would be him. But I thought, who ever is going to choose a guy from Peru?”
At St. Patrick Church, Gillespie rang the bells in celebration for five minutes after the announcement of the new pope.
Later, following the evening Mass at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church of St. Oscar Romero Parish in Muse, a “pope party” was held, which included a fireworks display and a bonfire.
Pope Leo XIV’s election to the head of the papacy is a historic moment for the Catholic Church.
He’s the first American to hold the position. Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago and served as a missionary in Peru for many years, and holds dual citizenship in Peru.
Huaman’s excitement about the new pope grew as she learned he lived and worked for more than 20 years in Peru as a missionary and then as bishop, and that he speaks fluent English, Spanish and Italian.
Her reaction reflected what many U.S. Catholics experienced on Thursday: surprise and unfamiliarity with Prevost, then shock that he is an American, and then an interest in learning more about him.
Charlie Watts, a parishioner at St. James Parish in Washington, said he was thrilled to hear the news that Prevost was elected.
“We’re excited. It’s the first time that we’ve had an American pope. It’s a historic moment for us,” said Watts. “I’m just so happy it happened. His name wasn’t mentioned very much. Hopefully he creates some type of enthusiasm and lights a fire in Catholics.”
Many parishioners were encouraged by Prevost’s choice to be called Pope Leo XIV, following the last Leo – Leo XIII – who led the church from 1878 to 1903, one of the longest reigns in papal history, and who became known as the “pope of the workers” for defending the right of working people.
Tina Florkowsi, who attends St. Patrick Church and was in her car when her husband texted her that Prevost was selected as pope, said she was relieved when a new pope was elected.
“I think this brings great hope to American Catholics,” said Florkowski. “We have a new pope, we have a new blessed father in the apostolic line of St. Peter, and it feels like the Church is whole and complete again. It’s so exciting that he chose the name Leo. I’m a Leo, and I want him to be a fierce lion for the faith.”
Huanan said she is “curious to know how he is going to continue Pope Francis’ legacy.”
Pope Leo shares his predecessor’s commitment to social justice issues.
“I think he will build bridges, and I’m hopeful he will build a bridge in our country,” said Huaman. “I’m curious to know how he’s going to promote Pope Francis’ legacy and to promote the importance of defending minority groups and groups that feel left out.”
Colleen Yanosky of St. Oscar Romero Parish said she found the spectacle and process of choosing the pope “amazing,” as 30,000 to 45,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to await the election of the 267th pope.
“I was amazed to see all the people there, in the square, waiting for the announcement,” said Yanosky. “That was amazing. It took my breath away when he came out. I felt joy. I had tears.”
Members of Immaculate Conception Church of St. James Parish were attending a retreat at Sacred Heart Church in Claysville Thursday when they heard the news that a new pontiff was elected.
“It’s an exciting time for the church as we finish our mourning period for Pope Francis. The new pope is a cardinal that he assigned, so it’s an exciting time,” said St. James Parish office manager Tracy Sushel. “It couldn’t have been better because the entire staffs of our partner parishes were together when the new pope was introduced, and we got to hear his first blessing for the world. It was a great day.”