Minnesota Catholics react to first American pope
"I still can't believe it — I never thought I would see it in my lifetime," said Doug Liebsch, Cathedral High School chaplain. "I will still be processing this for weeks."
Prevost, 69, now Pope Leo XIV, was selected by the conclave at the Vatican on Thursday, May 8. Not only is he the first pope from the United States, Prevost is from the Midwest.
"Growing up here, you think America is the center of the world, and as you grow up, you realize the world is big and Catholics come from all over," Liebsch added. "So it's a big deal that not only is he from the U.S., he's from the south side of Chicago, which is not that far away from here geographically."
Diocese of New Ulm Bishop Chad W. Zielinski expressed joy in Thursday's written statement.
"It is with great joy that the Universal Church has received the most exciting and wonderful news of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. I truly believe the Holy Spirit guided the College of Cardinals in selecting the right man to lead the Church in the upcoming years."
Zielinski said he met the new pope in Rome in 2016, when the two were the only Americans in a course for new bishops.
"He struck me as a kind-hearted, gentle, quiet man who truly had the heart of Christ the Good Shepherd," Bishop Zielinski said in his statement. "He had a deeply heartfelt concern for the poor and truly had the heart of a missionary priest."
The bishop added: "His election as the first pope from the United States of America is a historic moment and a wonderful blessing for our nation."
The history of the moment was seen on livestreams in classroooms throughout Cathedral High School in St. Cloud on Thursday as soon as the white smoke was seen coming from the Sistine Chapel, according to Liebsch.
The announcement of the new pope was a cause for celebration for many Catholic organizations across the region.
The bells at St. Mary's Cathedral in downtown St. Cloud rang to mark the occasion.
Diocese of St. Cloud Bishop Patrick Neary expressed support for Pope Leo XIV in a written statement Thursday.
"I am so pleased that we have such a worthy successor to Pope Francis in Cardinal Prevost," Neary said in the statement. "There is hardly a more challenging or important role of leadership in our world."
The Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict in St. Joseph and the monks at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville posted celebratory messages Thursday on their social media pages.
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