First American Pope, Leo XIV, Celebrated Across U.S. Catholic Churches

A New Chapter for the Catholic Church: An American Pope Elected

For the first time in history, Catholics across the United States attended Sunday services knowing that an American is at the helm of the Vatican. Last Thursday, Robert Prevost, a native of Chicago, was elected by the College of Cardinals to become the new leader of the Catholic Church, adopting the name Pope Leo XIV.

The election of Pope Leo XIV has sparked a sense of pride among U.S. Catholics, especially given his familial ties to various regions across the country. Meaghan Gibson from New Orleans expressed her excitement, noting the Pope’s connection to her city. “The fact that his family comes from New Orleans is amazing,” Gibson shared with Rosemary Westwood from NPR member station WWNO. “Hopefully he will grace us with his presence sometime during his papacy.”

According to the Historic New Orleans Collection, Pope Leo’s grandparents, Joseph and Louise Martinez, resided in New Orleans before relocating to Chicago between 1910 and 1912. Their former home was eventually acquired to construct a highway. Gibson reflected on this, saying, “So possibly if that had not been built, the family might’ve still been here.”

In Houston, Angie Spencer, a parishioner at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church, expressed excitement about the American pontiff’s election, noting her grandson’s newfound aspiration to ascend the hierarchy of the Church. “Even he’s catching onto it,” Spencer remarked. She also expressed hope that Pope Leo would continue the outreach efforts of his predecessor, Pope Francis.

At Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral, the election of a hometown Pope was met with enthusiasm. Parishioners took selfies in front of a congratulatory billboard, as reported by Chicago Public Media’s Jake Wittich. Sara Schroeder, a resident of Chicago, described the event as a historic moment for both the city and the nation. “Mass was beautiful,” she said. “The priest was very happy about Pope Leo. People were cheering that he’s from Chicago, and people would clap anytime that was mentioned.”

In Washington, D.C., the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle held a Thanksgiving mass in honor of the new Pope, as reported by WAMU’s Jackson Sinnenberg. Father Isaac Sagastume emphasized the significance of Pope Leo’s new role, saying, “As he begins his pontificate, may the universal church receive its new pastor with joy and a renewed sense of missionary zeal.”