‘I'm super proud': Catholic students optimistic following election of Pope Leo XIV
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (WROC) – On Thursday, white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel in Rome, signifying the election of Pope Leo XIV as the new leader of Catholicism. Students and Faculty at St. John Fisher University are optimistic about what his experiences could mean for their faith.
Maddie Donlin, a senior at Fisher, shared her thoughts on the news.
'I'm super proud,' Donlin said. 'I think a lot of us are super proud to have an American born Pope.'
Donlin is not the only one excited for what's to come under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV. Gracie Carella shared her initial reaction and the joy it's brought her.
'I think it's really exciting, especially with our generation,' Carella said. 'Pope Francis did a lot with the younger generation, a lot with service, community and bringing people together. And I think Pope Leo is going to do the same thing.'
The newly elected Pope comes with years of experience as a priest in Peru. Following this, he served as the Prefect for the Dicastery of Bishops under Pope Francis.
Cabinet Chair at St. John Fisher University Father George Smith sees the ways in which this could inspire a new era for the Catholic church.
'Pope Leo in his past has been a teacher. He's been the leader of his religious order, the Augustinians, but most importantly, he's been a missionary,' Smith said. 'We need new popes to address the needs of the new world that we live in, so I think we're going to see a pope that responds in a very particular way to those who are most in need in our society.'
Both Carella and Donlin believe, from being on campus, that one community in need are young Catholics who have lost touch with their faith in recent years. They hope to see that change under Pope Leo's guidance.
Now that Pope Leo has given his first public blessing, a formal ceremonial mass is expected to take place in the coming days. We'll provide coverage of Pope Leo's first days in the role on-air and online.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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