A new pope is always cause for celebration. But the first pope from the United States is especially celebratory. Clergy, religious and lay Catholics across Arkansas shared their thoughts and reactions to the new leader of the Catholic Church.
“After learning that there was white smoke, I joined the diocesan staff to see who had been elected to follow Pope Francis. Everyone was excited to learn that it was Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost who was introduced as Pope Leo XIV, an Augustinian who was born in Chicago and served as a missionary priest in Peru for many years. His first words as the Successor of Peter, ‘Peace be with you all!’ reached beyond the people gathered in the square at the Vatican to the millions watching like us. He inspired Catholics and non-Catholics alike with his message that God loves us all with an invitation to move forward together, without fear, hand in hand with God and with one another. We can support Pope Leo XIV with our prayers and by responding to his call for all of us to join together as one people who build bridges with Christ through dialogue and encounter as the way to God and his love. Let us pray for Pope Leo XIV, for our Church and for peace in the world.”
— Bishop Anthony B. Taylor
“I am beyond excited for our Church. I believe that Pope Leo XIV will continue the work and vision of Pope Francis. We pray that he will be a pope for everyone, especially the poor and vulnerable. His missionary experience will be a blessing and will shape his papacy. He is American-born, but we must emphasize that he is a naturalized Peruvian. He will continue to bring the joy of the Latin American Church to the world. Leo XIII was the last pope to use this name. He brought the Church into modern times. His teachings are the foundation of our social teaching of the Church. I think it is very significant that he chose that name.”
— Father Rubén Quinteros, pastor of St. Mary Church in North Little Rock and director of the Diaconate Formation Office
“Big news! We were at the Fifth Grade Vocation Day when the new pope was announced. The students cheered! They were so loud, I was sure I heard wrong when they said that the new pope is from America. God is full of surprises. Pope Leo XIV is an international pope. This is good for the world.”
— Jeff Hines, director of the Office of Faith Formation
“I’m excited to see our first pope from the United States, and the first Augustinian pope. Also having dual citizenship with Peru and being the prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops gives him a global perspective that makes him perfectly suited for this new calling from Jesus as the successor to St. Peter.”
— John Michael Talbot, founder of The Brothers and Sisters of Charity, Little Portion Hermitage
“I was very shocked to see that the new pope chose the name Leo, because that hasn’t been chosen since Leo XIII in 1878. Also, he’s the first American to be elected as Pope. It all is just so cool to me!”
— Abner Sierra, Young Faith writer for Arkansas Catholic and future seminarian
“His message of peace for everyone warms my heart. I am hopeful and proud that our Catholic Church is led by men of faith and wisdom. May God bless and guide him always.”
— Paola Ricuarte, administrative assistant to the Minister to
Deacons
“I was just getting ready to leave my final American politics class for the semester when the next class’s professor walked into the room and announced, ‘Did you hear? We have a new pope!’ My entire class gasped — shocked, yet disappointed that we had happened to miss the livestream taking place just down the hall. Even though I was sad to have missed the live presentation, I was ecstatic to hear that our newly elected Pope Leo XIV was from America.”
— Mailelani Lessenberry, young adult Catholic and parishioner at St. Bernard in Bella Vista
“As a canon lawyer, I was particularly excited to see a fellow canonist become the next pope. Canonists can’t be easily put into any particular ideological box. But one principle common to most all canonists is that we don’t see canon law as an end in itself — but a means to an end. The ultimate goal of canon law is the salvation of souls — and it does that, in part, by creating order in the life of the Church so that faith, grace, and charisms in the Church can be rendered more effective.
“In other words, canon law isn’t supposed to be the focal point. It’s supposed to operate always in the background, to help create order and justice and harmony, so that the charisms of those on the front lines of ministry are better able to bear good fruit. So it’ll be exciting to see whether Pope Leo XIV’s leadership style will be to work behind the scenes, with measured, strategic approaches to help others evangelize the world and save souls — putting the focus on the Church’s ministers on the front lines of ministry.
“I knew Cardinal Prevost was a name being floated, and that he was born in the United States. When I heard it was him, I was kind of shocked! Among the other cardinals, most Americans probably wouldn’t have named Cardinal Prevost as “an American,” because he wasn’t the bishop of an American diocese, and he spent so much time abroad. Though it’s a great honor for us Americans, my sense is that he sees himself in a more global perspective — including as a Latin American, a Peruvian and even partly European. He’s probably spent more of his ministerial life outside of the United States than inside it. Still, the first American-born pope is an amazing honor for our country, and we hope it’ll bring many graces to our Church here in the States!
“Of course, the most important thing is that his favorite sport is tennis. As a former college tennis player, I am thus a kindred spirit — and I’m sure this can only be a good omen for the future of our Church.”
— Deacon Matthew Glover, JD, JCL, chancellor for canonical affairs
“It was amazing to see how excited and invested my students were — not just in praying for the future pope and cardinals, but also in watching the white smoke and the appearance of Pope Leo XIV. It was emotional for them — and me. Several students said they got chills. They were struck by how gentle, humble and kind the new pope seemed. It was special to witness this new generation experience such a historic moment in the world — and such an important one for us as Catholics.”
— Erin Mason, English teacher at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock
“It was amazing to watch the white smoke come out of the Sistine Chapel and then hear with surprise that they elected an American pope. From what I have heard and read, Pope Leo XIV sounds like a wonderful choice as the supreme leader of the Catholic Church. I am hopeful that he can bring some peace and healing to the United States along the way.”
— Chelle McCarroll, director of alumnae Relations at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock
“Being able to experience the election of a new pope was surreal to me. It was beautiful to see so many people — Catholics and non-Catholics alike — connecting over and being affected by this historical event. I had been in my theology class when we were waiting for the curtains to part and to receive our first glance of our new pope, and it was touching to see how other girls in my grade, who I was surrounded by, were affected by the events. Many girls got emotional, and even more were shocked by the process. I am saddened by the loss of Pope Francis, but I am incredibly excited for this new chapter in all of our lives to have a new pope. I must remember to pray for our new pope and support him from home as much as I can. I am so grateful to have been able to experience the papal election, and I know that I will remember it and continue to be affected by it for the rest of my life. Habemus Papam!”
— Amelia Green, freshman at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock
“The Holy Spirit has spoken once again, and has called Cardinal Prevost to lead his Church as Pope Leo XIV. From the suburbs of Chicago to the Missions in Peru, his life has been a silent testimony of surrendering, service and love for God’s people. Today, the Church not only embraces a new pontiff but also a shepherd with a missionary heart and Augustinian soul. Viva el Papa!”
— Father Ramsés Mendieta, pastor of St. Barbara Church in De Queen and St. Juan Diego Church in Wickes
“I was surprised how few votes it took to come to a decision. For me, it was a clear sign of the working of the Holy Spirit in guiding the choice for the Church. I am looking forward to the leadership of Pope Leo XIV.”
— Msgr. Lawrence Frederick, rector of Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock, chaplain of the Carmel of St. Teresa of Jesus and Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock
“I am excited to have a pope after these couple of weeks without one. I was not expecting to have an American pope, but here we are. Pope Leo XIV seems very good for the papacy. His birthday is the feast of the Triumph of the Cross, and he was ordained bishop of Chiclayo in Peru on Nov. 3, which is St. Martin de Porres’s feast day (biasedly my confirmation saint but also a Peruvian himself). I believe God has a lot of good things in store for the Catholic Church, and I hope that, as ‘Leo’ has been the name for popes who have served through and conquered trying times in the past, we will see many of the Church’s troubles resolved through our new pope’s service.”
— Oscar Burney, Young Faith writer for Arkansas Catholic and future seminarian
“I believe that the election of any pope, and the whole process that surrounds it, reminds us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. Having a pope from the United States makes that feel even more real by connecting us to the world. Our Church that started 2,000 years ago half a world away, is alive and new and present.”
— Deacon Jason Pohlmeier, principal of St. Joseph School in Fayetteville
“Several people have asked me what I think about our new pope. I have to say that I did not know of him until he was announced on the loggia! It was not on my conclave bingo card that we would have an American pontiff, but it has certainly been an emotional and exciting event. I pray that Pope Leo will be a champion of the wisdom and beauty of our Catholic faith, who will draw all people to Jesus Christ with clarity, compassion and joy.”
— Father Shaun Wesley, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Carlisle and Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Slovak
“Our monastic community is overjoyed that a fellow religious has once again been chosen as a successor of St. Peter. Because Pope Leo XIV comes from the brotherhood of the Augustinian Order, he understands a life of listening, synodality and mutual discernment in sharing the mission of Christ.
“Pope Leo XVI has not just been an Augustinian friar, a priest, a bishop, a cardinal and now the pope, but he also has the heart of a missionary from his years spent in Peru. He will understand those at the margins of the world precisely because he has lived in that world. The Church has chosen well!
“The 267th successor of St. Peter has the heart of a missionary from his time in Peru. Pope Leo XVI will understand that in this fractured world, he must follow the example of St. Peter to strengthen his brother bishops, foster peace in troubling times, and keep our focus on the mission of Jesus Christ.
“Pope Leo XVI is a son of St. Augustine, so he is already living a life of mission, prayer, love and brotherhood for the sake of Christ. We sons of St. Benedict offer our heartfelt prayers to the new Pontiff.”
— Abbot Elijah Owens of Subiaco Abbey
“In Pope Leo XIV, I see a simple, humble and faithful man, in love with Jesus and His Church. Our ‘Catholic’ — or ‘universal’ — faith exists for every nation and every person, and I hope that through him many will come into Christ’s flock — into our unity of faith and sacrament. In our world, where some two billion people speak English and Spanish, he will have the tools and experience to reach a wide audience. I pray that the heart of our own country will be touched by this man who has arisen from our own soil. ¡Que viva el papa!”
— Deacon Joel Brackett, whose ordination to the priesthood is May 31
“We are very excited for U.S.-born pope who will invigorate the Catholic Church in the U.S.! But we are especially inspired by Pope Leo’s missionary heart. He understands the plight of the underserved just as we do at Divine Mercy Health Center. It’s crucial that we see each person as God does with dignity within.”
— Lori Wilbur, co-founder of Divine Mercy Health Center in Little Rock
“As a physician, I’m inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s history as a missionary and advocacy for the most vulnerable.”
— Dr. Lee Wilbur, co-founder of Divine Mercy Health Center in Little Rock
“Our new Pope will bring a multicultural vision, particularly to our country, the love for the poor, the example of a simple life, and to the world the desire to be servants of the Gospel.”
— Alma Garcia, director of religious education at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Magnolia
“We were all going about our day here at the monastery, and I remember I was getting ready to compose some intercessions for this Sunday, and I started typing for the pope elect and left it blank started talking and doing other things and our receptionist came over said, ‘There’s white smoke.’ I stopped what I was doing and we went running. … The receptionist (made an announcement) and our employees came in. … I asked one of our employees — here name is Lisa — and I said ‘Hey, could you just ring that bell until you’re tired?’ And she did that. … I remember thinking, ‘It will probably be an Italian pope.’ … We were watching and during the announcement they said his name. Then I got excited because when they mentioned Cardinal Robert Prevost, I was like ‘Oh my goodness, he’s from Chicago, and I’m from Chicago …’ So I was loving the American connection. I didn’t realize that he was invested in the Augustinian Order … my father was taught by the Augustinian brothers in Chicago. … It was just amazing to watch this history of our Church, for the first time as an elected American pope. I think he’s going to be good for the Church on a variety of levels. …”
— Sister Kimberly Prohaska, prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith
“As far as the pope being from the U.S. is concerned, I was definitely surprised! I saw the white smoke right before going into noon Mass at my parish in Engelberg. So I knew that we had a pope during Mass, though I had no idea who he was or where he was from. After Mass, a parishioner showed me a news article that the new pope was Cardinal Prevost from the U.S., and again, I was taken by surprise! I sang the tune — along with many others — that we would never see a pope from the U.S. in our lifetime — which, in my opinion, goes to show how the Holy Spirit was at work in this conclave.
“As far as his name goes, his choice of Leo XIV also came as a surprise. I immediately thought of the first Pope Leo — St. Leo the Great — and the last Pope Leo — Leo XIII — in hearing his choice of name. My first thought was that these are strong, unifying popes, and clearly our new Holy Father wants to be in continuity with the other popes named ‘Leo’ who have come before him. We also see this language of ‘continuity’ from his first address to the congregation of cardinals, showing that he has a desire to be in continuity with Pope Francis and all of his immediate predecessors.
“With all that said, I am very excited for this time in our Church’s history, and I think Pope Leo XIV will do a wonderful job in leading, guiding and instructing the Church in how to listen to the voice of God in our lives and in how to follow after Christ Himself. I believe Pope Leo will also be a great unifier in the Church, bringing the faithful together in unity as we strive to seek after Christ in all things.”
— Father Stephen Elser, PhL, VF, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church and St. John the Baptist Church in Pocahontas, and St. Joseph the Worker Church in Engelberg.
“I was initially — as probably most — suprised and excited that he was American. Our first American pope! Truly something so exciting for our country and the unification amongst all of us. Reading into some of Pope Leo XIV’s beliefs and values, I think he is incredibly educated and completely what our world needs right now — regarding his views on cultural equality, desire to help the poor and plan to achieve unity in Christ. Also, it’s so awesome how he is literally fluent in like five languages! Talk about well-versed!”
— Abby Liebhaber, Young Faith writer for Arkansas Catholic
