Catholic officials and faithful members in Fort Worth exult over the election of Leo XIV, the initial American to assume the papacy.
A tearful Nancy Eder was touched when she learned Robert F. Prevost, aged 69 and hailing from Chicago, got elected as the Vatican's first American pope, taking the name Leo XIV.
On the 8th of May, Prevost, draped in papal attire, stepped out from St. Peter's Basilica's loggia in Rome. Meanwhile, Eder's grandson Leo, turning 14, donned a suit to celebrate his birthday.
"I'm thrilled about the new pope, an American pope - it's just unbelievable!" declares Eder, a devoted Fort Worth Catholic who previously received an award from the late Pope Francis before his passing in April.
Jubilant Catholics worldwide are celebrating the election of the Roman Catholic Church's 267th pope during the second day of the papal conclave.
"Peace be with you all," said Prevost in Italian for the first time as Pope Francis' successor on the 8th. Speaking in Spanish during his address, he underscored messages of peace, dialogue, and missionary evangelization, according to the Associated Press' reporting.
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Born to parents of French, Italian, and Spanish descent, the newly crowned pope spent most of his clerical life ministering in Peru, where he also holds citizenship. Before Pope Francis promoted Prevost to cardinal last year, he led a life of missionary work. He served as bishop of Chiclayo, a city in Peru, from 2015 to 2023. Prevost also served in other leadership roles in the Catholic Church under Pope Francis, like the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
In the eyes of colleagues, Pope Leo XIV embodies a "dignified middle of the road," competent in navigating the church's contentious issues, as reported by The New York Times. He has expressed support for outreach to migrants and the poor, along with concern for the environment.
Fort Worth Catholic Leaders, Laity, and Leo XIV
As an American religious leader with South American experience, Pope Leo XIV brings a deep understanding of two distinct yet influential cultures that serve the U.S. church, especially in Texas.
Sharing a hometown and Chicago accent with Pope Leo XIV, Fort Worth Catholic Bishop Michael Olson finds joy in the new pope's election. Despite their differences in Chicago baseball team preferences—Olson roots for the White Sox, while the pope is a Chicago Cubs fan—Olson wholeheartedly supports the new pontiff, expressing hope for his leadership that can unite the church and people during a polarized world.
Other Catholic leaders like The Rev. Msgr. Joseph S. Scantlin of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Arlington view the appointment as a testament to the church's inclusivity in choosing a global leader from the United States.
Catholic Charities Fort Worth CEO and President Michael Iglio welcomes the new pontiff, anticipating the pope's guidance and committing to its ongoing service to the poor and vulnerable.
The organization, which operates the Texas Office for Refugees, distributes millions in federal funds to support individuals resettling across Texas, acting as a beacon of hope and a force for change in communities.
Kasey Whitley, Catholic Charities Fort Worth's director of parish social ministry, feels a deep connection with Pope Leo XIV's choice of the name Leo, reminiscent of Pope Leo XIII's efforts to support the poor and uphold workers' rights. To Whitley, the new pope's name carries a message of prioritizing the needs of the marginalized and underserved, fostering hope for the future.
Marissa Greene is a Report for America corps member, covering faith for the Fort Worth Report. Reach her at [email protected] or tweet @marissaygreene. The Fort Worth Report editorial decisions are made independently of board members and financial supporters, and this article was republished under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
- Pope Leo XIV, the newly crowned American pope, was born to parents of French, Italian, and Spanish descent and spent most of his clerical life ministering in Peru.
- As the successor of Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV made peace his priority, addressing the world in Italian and Spanish on the day of his election.
- As a distinguished religious leader, Pope Leo XIV embodies a "dignified middle of the road" and supports outreach to migrants, the poor, and environmental concerns.
- Fort Worth Catholic Bishop Michael Olson, sharing a hometown and Chicago accent with the new pope, finds joy in his election despite their differing baseball team preferences.
- Catholic Charities Fort Worth CEO and President, Michael Iglio, welcomes Pope Leo XIV's leadership, committing to ongoing service to the poor and vulnerable.
- Kasey Whitley, Catholic Charities Fort Worth's director of parish social ministry, finds a deep connection with Pope Leo XIV's choice of the name Leo, echoing Pope Leo XIII's efforts to support the poor and uphold workers' rights.
