Southland Catholics Celebrate Selection of First American Pope

LOS ANGELES, CA — Southland Catholics and elected leaders Thursday hailed the selection of Chicago native Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope, becoming the first American to ever hold the position.

Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

"Habemus Papam! I'm filled with hope as we welcome Pope Leo XIV," Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath wrote on X following the announcement. "I saw firsthand Pope Francis' deep commitment to human rights, our environment & immigrants dignity for people of all faiths. I look forward to continuing that spirit of shared purpose with our new Holy Father."

The new pope was chosen on the second day of the conclave of 133 cardinals from around the world at the Vatican. Pope Leo will replace Pope Francis, who was a former archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was the first Latin American pontiff. Francis died April 21 in the Vatican at age 88 -- one day after Easter. He served as pope for 12 years.

Prevost, 69, spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru, but was chosen by Francis to lead the Vatican's Office of Bishops. The office reviews nominations in the appointment of bishops around the world.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles quickly noted the selection of the new pontiff, posting on social media, "LA Catholics give thanks to God for His Holiness Pope Leo XIV."

Speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon at the Cathedral of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles, Archbishop José Gomez praised the selection.

"The word Catholic means universal. The mission of the Catholic Church is to share the light of Christ and proclaim the love of God to every human on Earth, in every nation, in every land to the ends of the Earth," Gomez said. "Now we have a new pope to continue leading us in that mission, following the beautiful example of the previous popes, especially I would say Pope Francis."

Gomez on Friday will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral to celebrate the new pope's election. Gomez will be joined by auxiliary bishops and clergy from across the archdiocese "to pray and welcome the Holy Father from the local church in Southern California." The Mass is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. and will be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/user/olacathedral.

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson wrote on X, "Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his election. His leadership holds deep meaning for many here in Long Beach and around the world. We wish him wisdom and peace as he begins this sacred journey."

Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McOsker, a devout Catholic, told KNX News he was "blown away" that an American was chosen.

"This is a historic moment when a pope passes -- God bless Pope Francis -- and to see a selection so quickly is remarkable," he said. " ... We are in the Easter season, this is a period of time between Easter Sunday and the Pentecost. It's the holiest of seasons for the Catholics, and to have all of this come to fruition during this holy season is really remarkable. I didn't think in my lifetime I would see an American pope."

Rep. Nanette D. Barragán, D-Los Angeles, said, "His appointment marks a new chapter for the Catholic Church and for millions who look to the Church for moral leadership in a complex world."

Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis said Leo's selection "marks a significant moment not only for the Church but for the world."

"Born in Chicago and having served for over two decades in Peru, where he became a bishop and later a naturalized citizen, Pope Leo brings with him a unique blend of cultural insight and pastoral experience," Solis said. "As Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, he demonstrated a strong commitment to the poor and migrants, and a consistent effort to engage with people across different walks of life.

"As he begins his Papacy, I hope his leadership will reflect the compassion, understanding, and global perspective that have shaped his ministry thus far."

Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Los Angeles, said the new pope "arrives at a time when the Church faces both challenges and opportunities. I'm hopeful he will follow Pope Francis and continue to be a vessel for peace, dignity and inclusion in the world. I pray he is granted the strength and wisdom necessary to serve humanity."

Diocese of Orange Bishop Kevin Vann, Auxiliary Bishop Timothy E. Freyer and Auxiliary Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen issued a joint statement hailing the papal selection.

"Bishop Vann, the bishops, priests, deacons, religious and the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Orange join the entire world today in giving thanks to God for the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, a man of great faith and integrity who will lead the church in a journey of faith, hope and love," they said.

"We are blessed that Pope Leo XIV harbors a deep commitment to proclaiming the Gospel and a pastoral heart that reflects Christ's mercy and compassion. To our diocese and all people of goodwill, we invite you to join in prayer for the Holy Father, so that God may grant him wisdom, courage and peace as he guides the Church into the future.

"Lastly, we thank the College of Cardinals, guided by the Holy Spirit, in reaching this monumental decision. May our Blessed Mother Mary intercede for him and all of us, as we continue the journey of faith together under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV."

Freyer told City News Service that he was involved in a training session for priests when the white smoke appeared.

"We canceled our plans" and put the live telecast of the announcement on TV, he said.

"We were watching -- nervous and anxious and excited and praying that God will continue to bless us," Freyer said.

Freyer recalled when he was in the seminary, "We studied the social teachings of the church and first document we read was from Pope Leo XIII."

In an era when the world was struggling with the industrial revolution in the 1890s Pope Leo XIII emphasized the importance of a social safety net for "those excluded or marginalized," Freyer said.

The document "speaks to the dignity of work and the importance of paying a just wage. It speaks of the right to own property and how we should try to resolve things locally as much as possible -- so many things that fit our present reality," Freyer said.

The new pope's experience as a missionary in Peru no doubt exposed him to "poverty that for us in the United States would be unimaginable," Freyer said.

Pope Leo XIV is an Augustinian priest, so his call to build bridges instead of walls reflects how "that community works on building unity and has that as a focal point of their ministry, not just in the church but within government structures, families, societies and neighborhoods."

Augustinians "focus on what unites us, not what divides us," he said.

"It's a wonderful day," Freyer said. "So many people were praying for the cardinal electors and the Holy Spirit was clearly working and moving within them, and we're blessed to have a new shepherd and guide."

City News Service