‘Totally stunned.' New pope a happy shock for Miami's Catholic leaders, faithful
Cardinal Robert Prevost — who was born in Chicago and became the first pontiff from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church — took the name Pope Leo XIV.
Most Vatican City watchers had considered him a long-shot and his election, just two days into a conclave of 133 cardinals, came as an unexpected but welcome milestone for many, including Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski.
'I think most people were surprised because for years they discounted the possibility of an American being elected as Pope,' Wenski told the Miami Herald in an interview.
Wenski said that Leo XIV is technically the second pope from the Americas since his beloved predecessor Pope Francis was born in Argentina. 'We shouldn't present him in a narrow fashion that he's an American Pope... he is perhaps more international than American, because he was spent most of his priesthood as a missionary in Peru.'
Born in Chicago in 1955, Leo XiV was ordained in 1982 and moved to Peru three years later, working for a decade in Trujillo before being appointed bishop of Chiclayo, where he served from 2014 to 2023. He received Peruvian citizenship but frequently traveled back to his home town.
Leo XIV is a member of the Augustinian religious order, a global group known for its commitment to community outreach and service. Wenski said the Leo XIII, the last pope to be called Leo, was known for his papal teachings advocating for the rights of the working class, in response to the dangers of unchecked capitalism.
'He was the first pope that elaborated on what we now call Catholic social teachings,' Wenski said about Pope Leo XIII. 'Every Pope since Leo XIII has made social encyclicals that have really influenced the church in their outreach towards what we could call justice ministries.'
Wenski said that the first Leo, known as Leo the Great, famously saved Rome from being conquered by Attila the Hun.
'Perhaps, like Leo the Great he will fend off the barbarians at our gates today – or like Leo XIII continue to develop teachings on social issues – like worker rights, migration, just wages, the environment, responsibility to the poor,' Wenski wrote in an email.
The choice to be called Leo and focus on social justice suggests that the new pope's leadership might continue in the direction of Francis, who was known for his commitment to service and acceptance. Ahead of the conclave, many Catholics in Miami were hoping to see the church follow Francis' legacy.
READ MORE: 'Let's build bridges.' Many Miami Catholics hope conclave continues legacy of Francis
Jesuit priest Guillermo García-Tuñón, known as Father 'Willie', said he was downright shocked to hear the news.
'My reaction was to be totally stunned,' said García-Tuñón, who is the president of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, 'Just leave it to the Cardinals to always throw curve balls at you. Because you have certain expectations and think of individuals who are front runners, but at the end of the day they always seem to surprise us.'
García-Tuñón was in the dining hall with about 900 students when the news of the new pontiff was announced.
'It just so happened that the white smoke shows up during lunch, and then, of course, the bell rings and nobody was moving, including myself.'
The students didn't understand the announcement at first, which was in Latin. But, as soon as García-Tuñón realized who it was, he ran to the microphone.
'I say to the boys, 'the guy who was elected took the name, Leo the 14th ... and he's from the United States. He's an American. And the kids started cheering. All 900 of them were cheering like if it was a hockey game.'
Xiomara Méndez Hernández, executive director of the Dominican Sisters Conference, experienced the day's excitement live from the Vatican.
'It was truly a remarkable experience to be in the Vatican and receive Pope Leo's blessing in person at the Piazza,' Hernández said in an email to the Herald. She said the election resonates with 'the spirituality' of the Dominican Order, which follows the rules of Saint Augustine.
'Hearing him ask for permission to speak in Spanish brought me immense joy,' she said. 'His call for peace, justice, unity and love has renewed my hope, not only for the Church but for the entire world.'
Wenski was wrapping up a mass at St. Martha's Parish when the white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel in Rome, signaling a new pope had been chosen. The special mass was held to offer prayers for the cardinals while they were sequestered in the conclave.
'Everybody started applauding. I said 'your prayers have been very effective,' Wenski said.
As Leo XIV spoke his first words to crowds at the Vatican, he urged people to first remember Pope Francis, who died a little over two weeks ago on Easter Monday. Speaking in Italian, he told the world, 'peace be with you,' and offered his vision for a church of dialogue and missionary evangelization.
'We have to seek together to be a missionary church. A church that builds bridges and dialogue,' Leo said.
Ellie Hidalgo, co-director of Discerning Deacons, a group that advocates on behalf of women's roles in the Catholic Church, also was delighted by the selection.
'I feel the overflow of grace … the Cardinals, guided by the Holy Spirit, have chosen the pope we need,' said Hidalgo. 'I just love that he is an American Pope who has spent so much time in Latin America.'
Hidalgo said she had met Leo XIV, when he was still Cardinal Prevost, a few months ago in Rome.
'He quoted extensively from Pope Francis' address to deacons in Rome ... He said that St Augustine said that 'to move forward in faith, Be humble. Be humble. Be humble.''
She said that she feels the new pope is well-positioned to continue the work of Francis. The new pontiff once led the Vatican office that appoints new bishops to the pope. That administrative body included three women for the first time in history — which also gives her hope as someone who has been advocating for years for the expansion of women's leadership roles in the church.
'We thought it was wonderful ... another good sign of the growth of women's participation on important committees and important decision making tables.'
This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, including Khalid and Diana Mirza, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
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