09-05-2025
Selection of Robert Prevost as Pope has Phoenix's Catholic community excited about the church's next chapter
The Brief
St. Mary's Biscillica celebrates the selection of American Robert Prevost as Pope.
Diocese of Phoenix Bishop John Dolan says the selection will have a worldwide impact in and outside the church.
Elsewhere in Phoenix, Brophy College Preparatory President Bob Ryan says the whole school was buzzing about the historic selection.
PHOENIX - Catholics across the Valley are also reacting to the selection of American Robert Prevost as the new leader of the Catholic Church.
St. Mary's Biscillica has a history with the papacy.
The backstory
Pope John Paul II came to visit back in 1987.
Now, it is decorated to celebrate a new chapter in the Catholic Church.
What we know
The joyous rings of bells across St. Mary's Biscillica in downtown Phoenix May 8.
The trees and balconies are draped with gold banners, in honor of the new pontiff: Leo XIV.
"He will have a worldwide impact with people within the church and outside the church," said Bishop John Dolan.
Bishop John Dolan with the Phoenix Diocese says he's already ushering in several firsts for the papacy.
Not only is he the first American Pope, he is also the first Pope to be a member of Augustian religious order.
Local perspective
The historic day also made an impact at Brophy College Preparatory off of Camelback and Central.
"We had a viewing party in the activity center, and a lot of teachers, when there was white smoke, they turned it on in their classroom," said Bob Ryan, the school's President.
President Bob Ryan says it was a moving moment for the high school students, who were no older than six when Francis became Pope, to witness the moment unfold.
"Kids were excited and at lunch today, that was the buzz around campus," said President Ryan.
As for how Leo will approach his new role, Bishop Dolan says his first words as pope, emphasizing peace, gives a profound glimpse into what could be ahead.
"He used the words that Pope Francis would often use: build bridges. So in many ways, I think that he is going to be talking about that too," said Bishop Dolan.
He added that Pope Leo's missionary life in Peru will likely also be prominent, reaching out to the poor and marginalized.
Big picture view
Not only is Pope Leo from the United States, he's from Chicago - a city with strong connections to Phoenix.
Some of the people we spoke to felt a lot of pride from their Midwest ties to the newest pontiff.
"I've had four or five customers all excited about it, 'hey guess what! Guy's from Chicago!" said Bob Pappanduros, owner of The Chicago Hamburger Co.
News of the first American Pope made it to Pappanduros through his customers.
Bob, who grew up in Chicago himself, says the city raises strong characters.
"He's gonna have to be a pretty tough guy, for one," said Pappanduros.
Dig deeper
On a deeper level, others were sharing the hope Pope Leo leads with compassion.
"I think he's going to bring, you know, that sensitivity to diversity and inclusion and that's what we would want from a pope because that's what God's love is about. He loves everyone, he created everyone," said Karen Mariana.
Lifelong Catholic, Alisa Mann, hopes Pope Leo continues on the principles of Pope Francis.
"There were lots of changes with the previous Pope and, you know, a lot of modernization and a lot of different things. For someone who's been a Catholic their whole life and went to a private Catholic school, definitely a lot of changes and so exciting, as you know, we continue to modernize this church," she said.
The other side
Meanwhile, Bob Pappanduros is looking forward to adding a new face to the walls of his restaurant.
"I have a wall in the corner that has every mayor's election poster since old man Daley in the 1950s, and so I told the second or third customer that came in today who told me about the Pope that I want his election poster. Elect Bob for Pope!" he said.
