‘Hail Pope Leo!’: Enthusiasm Sweeps U.S. Masses with Homegrown Pope's Rise to Papacy

In places like Chicago and New Orleans, along with many other cities, worshipers and clergy felt a profound and instant connection with Pope Leo.

On a Sunday morning at Christ Our Savior Parish in South Holland, Ill., Rev. Gosbert Rwezahura addressed the congregation in a manner that echoed their shared thoughts, exclaiming, “We have a pope!” His face illuminated with joy, he declared, “He hails from among us!”

As the first American to be elected to the papacy in history, Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration stirred a unique blend of admiration, hopefulness, and national pride at churches across the United States.

Particularly at Christ Our Savior, the pride felt deeply personal: the parish was amalgamated from several nearby churches situated in the South Side of Chicago, which includes the now-defunct church he frequented during his youth.

Father Rwezahura summed it up concisely: “We are blessed to be the pope’s home parish!”

Janice I. Sims, 75, expressed her overwhelming emotion, saying, “I feel such pride and fulfillment, I can hardly express myself. It's a blessing to have witnessed this moment.”

Attendees swapped stories of their interactions with the future pope, who was known then as Robert Prevost. Someone talked about being the music director at a wedding he officiated, another recalled him as a deacon in the school where his mother was a librarian.

At Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, the 10:30 a.m. Mass was filled to capacity. Rev. Ton Nguyen began his sermon with a jubilant cry of “Long live Pope Leo the 14th!” met with applause from the gathered faithful. The church’s exterior was adorned with celebratory yellow and white drapery.