‘Totally stunned.' New pope a happy shock for Miami's Catholic leaders, faithful
To the joyful surprise of many Catholics across South Florida, the new pope is American — one who served the church as a missionary and bishop for decades in Peru and speaks Spanish with native fluency.
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
'Renewed hope' for the church
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.
Hope for expanded role for women
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 was also a part of a group of cardinals that proposed new bishops to the pope, she said. 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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stormont ministers make joint appeal for end to violence in Ballymena
Stormont ministers have made an urgent appeal for calm following two nights of street violence in Northern Ireland. In a joint statement, ministers from across the powersharing Executive in Northern Ireland, which includes Sinn Fein, the DUP, Alliance Party and UUP, said those involved in disorder in Ballymena have nothing to offer society but 'division and disorder'. Seventeen police officers were injured following a second night of sustained violence in the Co Antrim town on Tuesday. The violence flared at first on Monday following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. The four-party powersharing Executive is headed by Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle O'Neill and DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. The statement released on behalf of all ministers said: 'We strongly condemn the racially motivated violence witnessed in recent days and make an urgent appeal for calm across society. 'The alleged serious sexual assault reported on June 7 in Ballymena was appalling and our collective thoughts are with the victim and their loved ones at this deeply traumatic time. 'It is paramount that the justice process is now allowed to take its course so that this heinous crime can be robustly investigated. 'Those weaponising the situation in order to sow racial tensions do not care about seeing justice and have nothing to offer their communities but division and disorder. 'While all of our citizens have the right to engage in peaceful protest, there can never be any justification for the violence that has taken place in recent days, during which residents have been terrorised and numerous PSNI officers injured.' The statement added: 'We send our best wishes to all of those affected by these senseless acts and thank the PSNI and the NI Fire and Rescue Service for their efforts in ensuring that no-one has been seriously injured or worse. 'As an Executive, we work collectively every day to create a safe, prosperous and welcoming Northern Ireland for all. We are urging everyone in our communities to play their part in that effort and reject the divisive agenda being pursued by a minority of destructive, bad faith actors.' In a social media post, Ms Little-Pengelly said: 'Dismayed to see further disorder last night. 'Violence is always wrong. I have been in constant contact throughout last night with PSNI and in contact with local elected representatives. 'This disorder and violence must stop and justice be allowed to prevail.' Meanwhile, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described the scenes of violence in Ballymena as 'unnerving'. She said she expects Ms O'Neill to visit the Co Antrim town. 'I'm sure the First Minister will visit there. And let me say that the behaviour, I found it really unnerving, depressing,' she told RTE Radio. 'It was reminiscent of times a long, long time ago when violent loyalism burnt out Catholics from their homes. 'Let me say everybody needs to be safe in their community and in their homes, calm needs to be restored. 'Order needs to be restored. Respect has to be maintained. People's safety is absolutely paramount.' Ms McDonald added: 'So this behaviour needs to stop. It needs to end. 'And as I say, when I saw those images, they transport you back to a very bad time when sectarian violence and pogroms and all of those episodes. We're not going back to those times, every single person needs to be safe. 'I'm sure the First Minister will reiterate those sentiments very fully, and let me tell you it wouldn't be her first time in Ballymena, either.'
Axios
35 minutes ago
- Axios
Scoop: Gabbard tightens grip on intel assessments after Venezuela clash
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has imposed a more intensive review process for inter-agency reports, slowing their publication and deepening internal fears about political influence on intelligence, two U.S. officials tell Axios. The intrigue: The new layers of approval were introduced after Gabbard's acting chief of staff pushed for changes to a politically inconvenient report on Venezuela from experts across multiple intelligence agencies — an internal dispute that spilled into public view. Driving the news: That report from the National Intelligence Council (NIC) cast doubt on links the White House had drawn between the Tren de Aragua cartel and the Venezuelan government to justify deporting suspected gang members to El Salvador. Gabbard fired the acting heads of the NIC who approved that report last month. Her office said it was part of her efforts to "end the weaponization and politicization of the Intelligence Community." Veterans of U.S. intelligence warned the episode would send a "chill" through the community. "Nobody wants to give the boss what he or she needs to hear if the messenger is going to get shot," a former senior intel official told Axios. After the Venezuela controversy, Gabbard announced that she'd referred"deep-state criminals" to the Department of Justice over suspected leaks. Behind the scenes: She also quietly added a new layer of approval for NIC reports. An intelligence official said everything now needs sign-off from Deputy DNI for Mission Integration William Ruger or from Gabbard herself. An intelligence official told Axios the result was a slower flow of intelligence to policymakers. "The mere fact that they're going through all these steps has brought it to a trickle." "The process has definitely become more cumbersome," another U.S. official said, concurring that the NIC was publishing less in recent weeks than it had previously. In response to questions from Axios, an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said it was normal for the DNI or Deputy DNI to review reports prior to publication. The official did confirm changes had been made. "Considering the heads of the NIC were terminated for their inability to remove political priorities from the workplace, there is an even more comprehensive review of the products coming out of the NIC to ensure the office is producing apolitical intelligence." "This is good for the trust of the American people in the intelligence community and for the safety and security of our nation," the official contended. The other side: A former member of the NIC, which is typically staffed by career intelligence officials on rotation from other agencies, told Axios he'd never heard of that level of intervention by DNI leadership into the publishing process. "The NIC is a production mill for the DNI, so to require everything to be going through Mission Integration, or wherever else, would have constipated the system," he said. Between the lines: The changes reflect the mutual distrust between the intelligence community and its new leadership. Intelligence officials worry Gabbard's team may shape intelligence to match their political preferences. But Gabbard's team claims "deep state" officials are shaping the intelligence to match their political preferences, hence the review process. How it works: The NIC is responsible for providing assessments that take in the views of all U.S. intelligence agencies, often in response to requests from the White House. Typically a relevant subject matter expert at CIA or another agency will draft a paper which is then circulated among the relevant analysts at a dozen or so additional agencies for their input. The final product is published by the NIC in a classified format, and provided to the relevant policymakers. These can range from a one-pager turned around quickly on a hot-button issue — some aspect of the war in Ukraine, for example — or a months-long deep dive into an adversary's nuclear capabilities or terror threats to the homeland. In the case of the Venezuela report, the assessment was that the Tren de Aragua cartel was not being controlled by the Venezuelan government — contradicting a claim President Trump made while invoking the Alien Enemies Act. Joe Kent, Gabbard's chief of staff, wrote intel officials in April that "some rewriting" and more analytic work was needed "so this document is not used against the DNI or POTUS," the New York Times reported. Intelligence community members Axios spoke to for this story raised concerns that after the Venezuela episode, analysts could start to self-censor or simply keep their heads down to avoid political backlash. What they're saying: "Ensuring only the most timely, apolitical, and accurate intelligence reaches the desks of our decision makers is DNI Gabbard's top priority," Gabbard's spokesperson Olivia Coleman told Axios.
Axios
35 minutes ago
- Axios
U.S. races to break China's hold on rare earth magnets
While U.S. trade negotiators work to ease an immediate shortage of rare earth magnets from China, the Trump administration is scrambling to line up viable alternatives that would reduce America's reliance on its chief economic rival. Why it matters: Small-but-powerful rare earth magnets are essential to high-tech products, from cars and robots to electronics and weapons. But China controls 90% of the world's supply of the critical components. The contentious trade relationship between the U.S. and China has amplified the economic and security risks of that reliance. Global automakers are "in full panic" that China's limits on rare earth exports will trigger supply chain shocks like the pandemic-related semiconductor shortages that occurred in 2021 and 2022. The big picture: It's not a new problem. U.S. officials have been talking about the need to mitigate American dependence on China for years. China also dominates processing of metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite used in batteries. The latest: U.S. and Chinese officials met Monday and Tuesday in London to try to iron out their trade issues, amid reports that China was willing to expedite export licenses for U.S. and European automakers if the U.S. loosened export controls on jet engine parts and software. Late Tuesday both sides said they'd reached a framework of a deal, pending approval from both countries' leaders, that would in theory resolve the most recent export issues. Yes, but: There's still an urgency to find alternative sources. President Trump in April called for an investigation into national security risks posed by U.S. reliance on imported processed critical minerals, including rare earth elements. He has also used a series of executive orders to try to bolster domestic supply chains, like fast-tracking environmental reviews for U.S. mining projects. In Congress, meanwhile, rare earth competition with China has galvanized both parties. A spate of bills would create a tax credit for production of high-performance rare earth magnets, use Defense Production Act authority to direct emergency funding, and establish an Energy Department program to finance minerals projects. Two Republicans and two Democrats are pressing legislation that allows the president to strike free trade agreements exclusively focused on critical minerals and rare earth elements. "There is fairly broad bipartisan support around becoming more resilient, especially in areas that invoke national security — and this is clearly one of them," Sen. Todd Young, an Indiana Republican leading that bill, told Axios last month. Zoom in: One deal that's getting a lot of attention is a potential partnership between California-based MP Materials and Saudi Arabia's flagship mining company, Maaden. The deal was inked in May on the sidelines of the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, coinciding with a broader agreement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to cooperate on energy and critical minerals. MP Materials operates California's Mountain Pass, the only rare-earths mine in the U.S., which produces 12% of the global supply. At maximum production, Mountain Pass could yield enough rare earths to supply more than 6 million electric vehicles, the company says. But the bottleneck is magnets, which MP Materials is just beginning to produce. Maaden, a fast-growing, government-controlled mining company, is developing mines for a variety of critical minerals, but doesn't produce rare earths today. What to watch: Together, the companies seek to jointly develop a vertically integrated rare earths supply chain in Saudi Arabia—mining, separation, refining and magnet production—for global consumption. Zoning and environmental regulations in the U.S. make it hard to open a rare earth mine, but Saudi Arabia moves more quickly and is anxious to wean its economy off of oil. Saudi expertise in petrochemical refining can be leveraged for minerals processing, while MP brings experience across the entire rare earths supply chain, including mining, refining and magnet production. Reality check: The preliminary deal is non-binding, so it could still fall apart.
