Area Catholics lauded the selection of Pope Leo XIV, not just because he’s American born, but because they’re confident he’ll be a “bridge builder,” dedicated to serving the poor and marginalized.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, originally from the Chicago area but serving the church for decades in South America, was announced Thursday as the 267th pope, taking the name Leo XIV. He was elected cardinal by the late Pope Francis less than two years ago.
Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik said he was in shock when the new pope was announced.
“It breaks a lot of taboos; a lot of people said there could never possibly be an American pope because of America being a superpower,” Zubik said inside the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Carnegie. “But once again, it shatters beyond our understanding of the way politics works, and that is not where this was.
“I am thrilled with his election. I think because he was a pretty quiet man and didn’t really come into the spotlight a lot, there is a lot we are going to need to learn about him.”
Zubik said it is important to focus on Pope Leo XIV’s choice of name, following that of Pope Leo XIII, who served from 1878-1903. He said it will be interesting to see the pope’s impact on Catholics in the U.S., Zubik said.
He added we probably will see the name Leo chosen for more babies being baptized or by those receiving the sacrament of confirmation. He said Francis has been a popular birth and confirmation name during the previous pontiff’s reign.
“Pope Leo XIII was one of the greatest popes of the last century and a pope who focused on social justice,” said Zubik, who was in Rome for the elevation of Pope Benedict XVI. “He was a pope that spoke out about the dignity of the working person.
“The selection says something about the need to make sure to serve the people that society has put on the fringes.”
Zubik said the fact that Pope Francis and Pope Leo are both from religious communities emphasizes the importance of missionaries traveling the world to reach people, which was Jesus’ message to the first pope, Peter.
Zubik said the cardinals made a surprise choice. He said there is a clear indication they made their choice to continue Pope Francis’ legacy of reaching out to the poor.
The fact that Pope Leo did not speak in English but in Spanish and Italian for his first public remarks Thursday conveys the message he is a pope for the entire church, Zubik said.
Pope Leo’s message mirrored the priorities of Pope Francis, Zubik said. In this world we have built so many walls, Zubik said, that we need to tear down those walls and build bridges.
“Watching Pope Leo holding back tears, he clearly grasped the moment,” said Zubik, who celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination into the priesthood May 3. “He was very humble. This was not a moment of ‘look how great I am,’ but he was very much focused on what it means to be the pastor of the world.”
He said if Pope Leo, a Villanova graduate, visits the U.S., that would be “an outstanding moment.”
Zubik will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving in prayerful support of Pope Leo at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland at 7 p.m. on May 12. The Mass will be broadcast on Comcast and livestreamed at christianassociatestv.org and the diocesan YouTube channel.
In the eyes of Greensburg Diocese Bishop Larry J. Kulick, the election of the first American pope speaks volumes about the positive direction the Catholic Church is headed in the United States. Kulick is a native of Leechburg.
“I think part of this is a sign that the American church has reached a beautiful part of maturity and recognition amid the universal church of today,” Kulick said.
Listening to the pope’s opening remarks Thursday afternoon, Kulick was struck by the new pontiff’s desire to serve as a “bridge builder” between the Catholic Church and the rest of the world.
“In this world today, where there’s so much polarization,” Kulick said, “I think you’re going to see Pope Leo really being that bridge builder by saying, ‘We have to all connect together and not take extreme sides in one way or the other, but all come together.’ ”
Mary Seamans of Rostraver was excited to learn of the new pope for two reasons: He’s American and he’s only 69.
“I’m really surprised it’s an American,” she said. “It’s the last thing I’d have expected.”
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Seamans said she was surprised by that because she didn’t think Americans were very popular in the world Catholic hierarchy.
Leo’s “younger” age is interesting to Seamans because “it could give him a very long papacy.”
Seamans said she liked Francis and even got to shake hands with him when he visited Philadelphia.
“When he walked in the room, it’s like you felt something — like you felt God was there,” Seamans said. “It was amazing.”
With Leo expected to continue reforms started under Francis, Seamans hopes he can be clearer on some issues than Francis was — like his nuanced stance on blessings for same-sex marriages.
“I’m curious on how he’s going to be,” she said. “Pope Francis was a pretty liberal pope. It’ll be interesting to see.”
While younger at election that his last two predecessors, Leo XIV is hardly the youngest pope.
Popes Francis and Benedict XVI were 76 and 78, respectively, but Pope John Paul II was 58 when elected in 1978. According to numerous historical websites, the youngest pope ever is believed to be Pope John XII, who was about 18 to 20 years old when he assumed the papacy in 955.
Kulick anticipates Leo will focus his papacy on care for the poor and marginalized, which was also a highlight of Francis’ time in the Vatican. But Kulick also believes Leo will stray from being categorized as either “progressive” or “conservative.”
“I think he realizes that his role as the Holy Father … is that he is the sign of unity,” Kulick said. “As the Holy Fathers always do, there are the teachings of the church and the doctrines of the church that are unchangeable.
“I think what you’re going to see in some ways is … Pope Leo will be a pastoral leader reaching out to embrace the entire church and, I think, embrace the entire world.”
Hopes for reform
Tim Lender, 82, of Lower Burrell doesn’t know much about Pope Leo, but he hopes the newly appointed pope continues the reforms started under Francis.
“I like (Pope Francis’) new ideas, and I think he took care of some of the changes that needed taking care of and updated to today’s standards,” Lender said.
Lender referenced Francis’ softened stance on divorce, particularly regarding remarriage and access to Communion.
He admired the former pope’s dedication to treating older people and less fortunate people with care and respect.
“He was a true humanitarian,” Lender said.
Kevin Miscik of Crabtree was ecstatic there’s a pope from the United States and that his parents, in their late 80s and 90s, are alive to see it.
“This is wonderful. I’m very, very excited,” said Miscik, a member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Crabtree.
The pope’s relative youth will be a benefit for the church, Miscik said.
“He is someone who will be able to identify with the younger Catholics,” and they can identify with him, Miscik said.
Miscik said he would love to see the new pope allow women to have a more active role in the Catholic Church, “to see people in general take a more active role.”
Barbara Atwood of Sewickley Township, Westmoreland County, said she is very excited to see a pope from America.
“It’s an honor for our nation,” Atwood said.
Historic moment
Duquesne University President Ken Gormley, in a statement released Thursday, called the new pope’s ascension historic.
“The election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the new pope — taking the name Pope Leo XIV — is historic and should be reassuring to Catholics worldwide. The first American-born cardinal to become pope — at a time when the United States faces challenges in conveying a positive image around the world — is a historic nod to this nation’s importance in the global community.”
Gormley noted that, as a cardinal, Leo obviously gained the confidence of Francis, who appointed him to increasingly important positions in the church and the Vatican.
“The election of Pope Leo is likely to mark the strengthening and expansion of Pope Francis’ pastoral and humanistic approach to the role of supreme pontiff, expanding the reach of the church and embracing all individuals, including those who have been marginalized.
“For that reason, this is an outcome that Pope Francis would almost certainly view with quiet approval.”
Vanessa Schneider, a freshman at St. Joseph High School in Harrison, said she doesn’t think Leo’s Chicago roots will sway the way he presides.
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“But I feel like it’s really cool that he’s American,” said Schneider, of Harmar. “Having the chance for an American to have this kind of representation as the head of the church is exciting.”
St. Joseph High School President Jennifer MacNeil said the election of a young American pope is a “wonderful and joyful surprise.”
The new pope, MacNeil believes, will continue the legacy of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIII to speak courageously on social justice and respect and dignity for all.
While many people tried to predict contenders, the election is a great reminder that “God’s ways are not our ways,” she said.
“No one predicted the plan that God revealed today to a captivated world,” MacNeil said. “I am filled with great hope for the church and the world.”
Guardian Angels parishioner Amy Haugh said she is eager to learn more about Pope Leo.
He appears to want to carry on traditions of Francis, said Haugh, of Harrison.
“I think that Pope Francis really showed great love and the love of Jesus,” she said. “That’s the message we want to send.”
Haley Daugherty, JoAnne Klimovich Harrop, Joe Napsha Quincey Reese and Tawnya Panizzi are TribLive staff writers. You can reach Haley at hdaugherty@triblive.com, JoAnne at jharrop@triblive.com, Joe at jnapsha@triblive.com, Quincey at qreese@triblive.com and Tawnya at tpanizzi@triblive.com.