San Diegans welcome Leo XIV as first American Pope
Inside Immaculate Conception Catholic Church before Mass in Old Town San Diego Chris Stone San Diegans hailed the selection of Chicago native Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope on Thursday becoming the first American to ever hold the position Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV The University of San Diego joins Catholics worldwide who in the modern day celebrate the selection of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as our newly elected pope the first American-born pope to lead billion Catholics a declaration from the University of San Diego read Pope Leo XIV embodies the university s mission and vision one that seeks to affirm the dignity of every human by building bridges and leading with compassion Together we continue to work toward a world where we welcome all by fostering peace working for justice and leading with love May God Bless Pope Leo XIV The new pope was chosen on the second day of the conclave of 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 in the Vatican at age one day after Easter He had served as pope for years The selection of an American for pope came as a surprise to numerous I don t think an American should be pope then-San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy stated reporters in May The United States has so much power in so numerous levels he noted that having an American pope would be a counterpoint to the witness that the church has to continue to be giving Now-Cardinal McElroy relocated to Washington DC in February where he communicated an audience this week he had no idea who would be chosen Prevost spent greater part 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 San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond kept it brief on X posting An American Pope followed by an American flag emoji Associated Press contributed to this record
