SoCal Catholics react to selection of Chicago native Robert Prevost as first pope from US
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Southern California Catholics on 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 social media 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.
"Being in the United States, we need a lot of hope right now," Hermosa Beach resident John Glavan told ABC7 in an interview outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown L.A. "Being part of the Catholic religion and the Catholic faith, and the many millions of Catholics all over the world, I think this person, this pope will bring a lot of cohesion to our country and the world. And I think it's great that it's coming from somebody in the United States."
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."
"I'm so happy and I'm praying for the new pope to have the intelligence to make peace in all the world for all the stuff that we're going through," said L.A. resident Ana Felix in an interview outside the cathedral.
Felix is from Peru. Pope Leo spent years serving as a missionary and then as an archbishop at the Archdiocese of Chiclayo in Peru. He's also a Peruvian citizen.
Pope Leo is of the Augustinian religious order. There have only been a few dozen popes who are part of a religious order, including Pope Francis.
L.A. Archbishop José Gómez congratulated Pope Leo at mass and said his prayer for Thursday was a prayer of joy. Gómez said the pontiff has a unique experience on the matter of migration as someone from the United States who served in Latin America and has a unique understanding of the movement of people around the world.
"I was really encouraged by his words today. He talked about the need to be a missionary church and the need for everyone in the church to be missionaries, proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ," Gómez said.
"He did something very unique that not even Pope Francis did, that when he addressed the whole church, the whole world, he spoke Spanish," said Father Juan Ochoa, Director of the Office for Divine Worship at the L.A. Archdiocese. "Once he spoke Spanish and was addressing his diocese in Peru, I was expecting him now to say some words in English, but he did not. So we have an American pope, but I would say we have a pope of the Americas."
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson wrote, "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."
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."
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."
