Local Bishop thought possibility of an American Pope was ‘impossible'

Yahoo

10-05-2025

MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Habemus Pampa: 'We have a new pope.' Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo the Fourteenth, is the first American Pope to be selected to lead the Catholic Church.
When a Pope is selected, they pick a new name that relates to the Christian tradition. The pope can pick a Saint name or a past Pope's name that they have a lot of respect for.
'For example, Pope Leo the Fourteenth had a lot of respect for Pope Leo the Thirteenth,' Bishop Sis said. 'For the good things he did for the Church and the world. So he decided to honor him by picking the same name.'
The Bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo, Michael Sis, thought it was impossible to have an American as the next Pope.
'Well, the United States is such a powerful country, militarily, politically, and economically, Bishop Sis said. 'In general, people said it wouldn't make sense for the Pope to be from such a powerful country because a Pope needs to have a full sense of independence from all of that power.'
The local Bishop is now looking forward to what's next for Leo the fourteenth.
'All of the Cardinals will declare that they will work with him,' Bishop Sis said. 'That they are going to be loyal servants of the church under his authority. That's the big step that comes next. Then all of the Cardinals will go home to work that they have waiting for them back home. Then the Pope will take up his duties as the new Holy Father of the Catholic Church.'
Bishop Michael Sis is very happy to have a new pope and is asking people to pray for Pope Leo for a fruitful ministry.
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