‘I never thought I'd see that': Why an American pope came as a shock
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Catholics across the world and in Tampa Bay celebrated the election of a new pope Thursday, but many said that joy was paired with surprise.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago, became the new pope Thursday.
Tampa Bay reacts to election of Pope Leo XIV
The Vatican announced Prevost, 69, will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
Vincent Caruso watched the news unfold at Jesuit High School.
'We were watching the livestream, and when the white smoke came up, we all freaked out like, 'Oh, we have a new pope',' Caruso said.
It was a moment celebrated across the globe, but especially here in the U.S. as the first American pope was picked to lead the Catholic church.
'It makes me feel special, because… we're similar,' Chase Pears said. 'We're from the same place.'
The decision came as a surprise to many Catholics in Tampa Bay.
'I never thought I'd see that,' said Jesuit High School Assistant Principal Brian Greenfield. 'Excitement, shock, curiosity.'
Greenfield explained that, he hopes, having a pope from the U.S. will have a positive impact on the nation.
'Hopefully in America, where we need a little more inspiration, faith inspiration, so hopefully this pope will enliven us, inspire us and call us to more,' he said.
So why is everyone so shocked the new pope is American?
News Channel 8 went to USF Associate Professor James Cavendish to find out.
'The United States is a world power, and to also have the pope from the United States seemed like it was just too much of a consolidation of global power for the United States,' he explained.
But Cavendish said, in this case, he doesn't think that's true.
'It seems like he may have spent as much time outside of the United States than inside the United States, so he's very much of a global figure,' he explained.
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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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