This handout image launched on Could 8, 2025 by Peruvian information company Andina reveals the then bishop Robert Francis Prevost throughout a go to to Chulucanas, Peru, in 2024. Prevost was elected Pope on Could 8, 2025. The US-born pontiff near Pope Francis, turned a Peruvian nationwide in 2015 and devoted greater than 20 years as a missionary in Peru. | Picture by Paul SUNCION / ANDINA / AFP
NEW YORK, United States — US Catholics flocked to church buildings throughout the nation in a celebratory temper to mark the “pleasure” of the first-ever American pontiff following Thursday’s election of Pope Leo, who worshippers hoped would deliver again lapsed believers.
Exterior Manhattan’s imposing St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rosaria Vigorito, 66, mentioned she might “really feel the thrill simply within the couple of minutes I’ve been strolling round.”
The Miami artist mentioned she hoped Pope Leo, a 69-year-old from Chicago who spent a lot of his profession in Peru, could be a reformist.
“I’ve one concern with the Catholic Church that I’m hoping they’ll appropriate, and that’s permitting ladies to turn into monks,” she mentioned, a crucifix round her neck.
“I feel Mary Magdalene was an essential apostle. There was a press launch issued by the Vatican years in the past — they known as her the apostle to the apostles.”
Crowds of devoted and journalists had gathered exterior the church that first opened its doorways in 1879, with lots of of worshippers submitting in to hope and lightweight candles.
A information ticker exterior the close by Fox Information constructing introduced the shock information to passersby.
Oscar Salvador, 45, a laborer from Mexico, mentioned he hoped Leo would be capable of stem the tide of individuals leaving the church.
“I consider it’s a blessing for the folks of America,” he mentioned.
“Hopefully, he’ll depart a superb legacy… in order that extra folks keep in Catholicism, since these days we’ve got seen many individuals depart for different spiritual sects.”
– ‘A bit shocked’ –
In Houston, the sprawling Texas metropolis the place greater than 1 / 4 of residents reportedly determine as Catholic, Azul Montemayor mentioned she was “a bit shocked.”
“I used to be not anticipating an American to be elected and I’m simply hoping that he carries on (pope) Francis’s legacy of simply being extra inclusive, and I hope he doesn’t get swayed by extra conservative ideology that we’re having in the USA proper now beneath President Trump,” mentioned the 29-year-old examinations officer.
Analyst Ciro Benitez, 41, advised AFP that Leo’s multiculturalism was an indication “that we will develop to completely different sorts of cultures, (and) I assume, to the world.”
In Washington, Peruvian diplomat Julio Aiana, 32, mentioned “we’re pleased that now we’ve got a pope who’s half Peruvian” — referring to the nationality Robert Francis Prevost acquired whereas ministering there years earlier than changing into pope.
“I consider that the occasions are altering,” Aiana mentioned.
Reverend Monsignor W. Ronald Jameson, director of St. Matthews cathedral, advised AFP Leo “was a pal of pope Francis — and he has the power to essentially pay attention and mirror on what was mentioned, and to implement these numerous concepts he heard.”
Again in New York, worshipper Tim Anderson, 61, mentioned Leo’s energy would lie in his languages — reportedly talking English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese — along with studying Latin and German.
“I’m nonetheless engaged on English so I feel it’s gonna be fascinating at the present time the place there’s a lot craziness,” he laughed.
“Possibly he can deliver again a bit of little bit of what I keep in mind as a baby rising up a Roman Catholic — and the way full the church buildings had been again then.”
– ‘Welcoming to everyone’? –
Vigorito mentioned she wished Leo “to deliver us collectively.”
She acknowledged the brand new pontiff would have a frightening activity to “do as a lot as (he) can as a non secular chief, as a result of we take care of numerous secular politics and points.”
“I’d love the brand new pope to assist, particularly with conflicts in any manner potential, like in Ukraine,” she mentioned.
Salvador mentioned he was additionally hopeful Leo “can reconcile the nations which can be at conflict and assist them to succeed in peace in order that we don’t proceed on this violent path that we live on in the present day.”
Having an American pope “will assist deliver extra folks to the Catholic Church, and even people who have walked away — perhaps they’ll get reengaged,” added Vigorito.
Annie Elm from North Carolina paid tribute to Francis, calling him “fantastic” and praising his legacy.
“He beloved everyone. He lived very modestly,” she mentioned. “He was very humble.”
Elm additionally mentioned she hoped Leo could be “very sort and caring — welcoming to everyone.”
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