Latest news with #Zubik
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh bishop shocked that an American was elected as new pope
For the first time in the Catholic Church's history, an American, Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, was elected as the newest Pope. Channel 11's Andrew Havranek spoke with Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik after Pope Leo XIV was introduced to the world. 'What was your initial reaction to finding out?' Havranek asked. 'Shock. In fact, we were involved in a meeting and when the announcement came, everybody started laughing at me because they said you're really shocked!' Zubik said. 'And I was shocked because I believed that taboo that an American could never be elected as pope.' Zubik said he wasn't surprised a pope was elected so early in the conclave process, because Wednesday's first vote seemed to take a long time. But he said he feels the cardinals took a clear path for the church. 'It seems to me that the cardinals chose the surprise choice,' Zubik said. 'It seems to me there's a clear indication they thought it was well to continue the legacy of Pope Francis. Before being elected pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost was a missionary with dual citizenship in the USA and Peru. He was born in Chicago in 1955, and was even a graduate of Villanova University — right here in Pennsylvania. 'That's really exciting,' Zubik said. 'I have a grand niece who is in Villanova now and she texted me and said 'do you think he'll come and speak at my graduation?'' Havranek asked Zubik what impact the first pope from the United States will have on the Catholic Church here at home. 'I'm gonna guess maybe not as major as we think, and I'll say that for this reason, he did not say anything in English,' Zubik said. 'He spoke in a language that would be common for popes to speak, and I think he wanted to give the clear message, I think, by not speaking English, that he's a pope for the entire church.' And while the bishop said we will learn more about Pope Leo XIV's agenda in the coming days, weeks, and months, there is some indication of the direction he will lead based on his papal name. 'We can learn a lot from the name that he chose. Leo XIII was one of the greatest popes,' Zubik said. 'It says something about the need to make sure that we not only pay attention to, but really respond and serve people who society's put on the fringes. Bishop Zubik also said he wouldn't be surprised if many parents at baptism and those being confirmed in the church choose the name Leo in the coming years. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh area residents say they're looking forward to seeing new pope's leadership
Even though Bishop David Zubik said he was shocked, he said the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost, the first American elected pope, is a clear message from the conclave. 'It seems to me that the cardinals chose the surprise choice,' Zubik said. 'It seems to me there's a clear indication they thought it was well to continue the legacy of Pope Francis.' >>> Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh bishop shocked that an American was elected as new pope Channel 11's Andrew Havranek spoke with several people after Pope Leo XIV was announced to the world Thursday afternoon to get their reaction, both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. 'There's a first time for everything! Make the best of it! I hope it goes for a longer time,' said John Thomas, a Catholic from Coraopolis. 'I hope he continues the same thing the last pope was in there.' 'This is going to bring a lot of people back to the Catholic Church,' said Joseph Brady, a non-Catholic visiting Pittsburgh from California. 'We left the Catholic Church because they were so far behind the times. I'm excited for Catholics in this country. He's going to hopefully bring a lot of people back into the church again.' Cardinal Prevost assumes the papacy at just 69 years old. That's younger than Pope Francis, who was 76 when elected, and Pope Benedict XVI, who was 78. Bishop Zubik said it could have a huge impact on the church. 'Well, you remember Pope John Paul II was 58. I think that barring any unforeseen health difficulties, we can expect that this can be a pretty long pontificate,' Zubik said. 'I think generations hadn't been used to 26, 27 years of John Paul II. I think certainly when you have a pontificate that can last several decades, it promises good stuff for the church and for the world.' Zubik said he thinks Pope Leo XIV will follow much of Pope Francis' legacy of reaching out to the poor, and serve 'the people society put on the fringes.' 'The clues are already there,' Zubik said. 'He's going to be a missionary throughout the world, but if we have one of our own come back to our country, that's going to be an outstanding moment. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
CBS News
21-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Bishops David Zubik, Larry Kulick offer poignant tributes to Pope Francis after his death
The death of Pope Francis has saddened the Catholic faithful worldwide. Many of them, including Bishop David Zubik, remember a pontiff who wasn't afraid to speak truth to power and was always looking out for the less fortunate. The bells of Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland rang out for noon mass. On the minds of many entering the house of worship: the loss of their leader of the Catholic faith. "I think he was a game changer. I think he was much humbler and lived his life with humility," said worshipper Chris May. "I think he was one of the most giving and realistic popes," Valerie Angell added. Pope Francis' death struck the heart of the man who shepherds the Catholic flock in Pittsburgh: Bishop Zubik. "I had the privilege of meeting with Pope Francis several times. He had a natural gift that made people feel they were very important," Bishop Zubik recounted. Zubik recalls the personal touch the pontiff exemplified by a simple congratulations letter from Rome. "The one I was totally blown away by when I celebrated my 25th anniversary as a bishop, I got this letter." Zubik says the next pope will face a challenging world where tough talk and violence are becoming a crutch for many nations and individuals. Zubik added that the next pope would be smart to continue Pope Francis' legacy in one very important way. "There's a difference between listening and hearing. You hear with your brain, you listen with your heart. And I think Pope Francis listened with his heart." With voices lifted and heads bowed, dozens of Catholics also came out on Monday to Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg to honor the life and legacy of Pope Francis. Bishop Larry Kulick, the head of the Diocese of Greensburg, presided over Monday's mass. Two weeks ago, the bishop saw the pope while leading a pilgrimage in Rome. The bishop said he believed the pope seemed on the mend after being seen on Sunday, celebrating Easter with thousands at the Vatican. "The Holy Father came through Holy Week and Easter and dies on Easter Monday," said Bishop Kulick. "He carried his cross through these infirmities, even during Holy Week, appearing at times and now, here in the joy of Easter, he passes. So, it really reminds us all of our journey from this world to the next." Kulick was sad to hear of the Holy Father's passing, but added that his life and work would live on. "I think his legacy is really one in which he was pastor," said Bishop Kulick. "The way in which he administered, the way in which he met people, the way in which he even did diplomacy, was really with a pastoral heart. He was a pastor at the heart of his being." One person who came out to mass today was Greensburg resident Kris Azzarello, who said that she will miss this pope. "I wasn't surprised, because he had been so ill," Azzarello said. "But I thought it was nice that he had made it through Easter Sunday and was able to do the last mass, which is a blessing." Steve D'Agostino, who was in town from Delaware visiting family for the holiday, said that while this is a sad day for many, the pope is at rest. "There's just this feeling of emptiness," said D'Agostino. "There is so much craziness in the world, and so many things that you feel sort of uneasy about. Now, we have another emptiness. But the good news is, we know that it will be filled and filled shortly. And that the angels have flown the pope to heaven swiftly." One couple at the mass was Nat and Melanie Pantalone of Greensburg. They both say that this pope holds a special place in their hearts because, just a few years ago, they not only attended a private mass held by Pope Francis in Rome, but they got to meet and talk with him one-on-one. "I was a nervous wreck to meet him," Nat said. "But he was just so relaxed, and you were just talking to him. (He was) very comfortable." "And the one thing he asked us is to pray for him," Melanie said. "We were just in awe of that. Because we should be asking you to pray for us, but no, you pray for me. Very humble. Very patient and he took his time with everybody." No doubt, masses will continue to be held in Pope Francis' honor as the church continues to mourn its fallen leader.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bishop Zubik, Pittsburgh area Catholics mourn passing of Pope Francis
Just one day after celebrating Easter Sunday, Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, passed away at 88. Many Catholic parishioners in the Pittsburgh region said they were stunned when they woke up to the news. Photos: Pope Francis through the years 'I was shocked this morning because I had just seen him on TV last night for the Easter, and it just floored me,' said Elaine Bukovan of Millvale. 'I didn't realize that, I knew he was sick but I didn't realize how sick.' It also came as a surprise to Bishop David Zubik of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese. 'Pope Francis was our Father. He was the Pope, Pastor of the world, but in many ways, he was our Father,' Zubik said. Zubik met with Pope Francis several times over the years. He recalled a meeting on Thanksgiving Day in 2019. 'From the moment we walked into a very stately room in the Vatican, it was very comfortable,' he said. 'The Pope made us feel very welcome. What happened then was not a surprise to me, because everything I've seen about him personally is one-on-one. He had a beautiful way of respecting every single individual, and he had a natural gift of making people feel they were very important.' He also received a letter signed by the Pope congratulating him on 25 years of being a Bishop in 2022. 'It's that kind of personalism that you'd say, why in the world would the pope, busy as he is, think about doing something like that?' Zubik said. 'That's a very important treasure for me.' Zubik has been a Bishop under three Popes — Pope John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. He said each one had a different gift they gave to the catholic church and world. 'Pope John Paul II, who was Pope for 27 years, he was the philosopher. Pope Benedict was the theologian. Pope Francis was clearly a pastor. He was a very intelligent man,' Zubik said. Zubik wants to focus on praying for Pope Francis in the coming days before a new Pope is elected. Channel 11's Andrew Havranek asked him what he believes Pope Francis will be remembered for the most. 'One word. Mercy,' Zubik said. 'Every time he talked, he spoke about mercy. 'You know that that's exactly the relationship that god has for us, that no matter how many times we may have messed up for our lives, God's always open to giving us a fresh new start.' Zubik will be holding a mass at St. Paul's Cathedral in Oakland for Pope Francis on Monday at 7 p.m. Additional memorial opportunities will be shared in the coming days at Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
CBS News
21-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh holding special Mass in remembrance of Pope Francis
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will hold a special Mass on Monday, April 21, in remembrance of Pope Francis following his death early on this Easter Monday. Bishop David Zubik will preside over the Mass at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland. The Vatican announced Pope Francis, 88, died around 7:30 a.m. local time, one day after he briefly appeared in St. Peter's Square to bless worshippers on Easter Sunday. Bishop Zubik is encouraging all pastors across the Diocese of Pittsburgh to celebrate Masses for the late pope, and to include special intentions during the Prayer of the Faithful throughout the coming days. "We are experiencing this loss as a family," said Bishop Zubik. "And as a family would, we need to come together, to be together, and to pray together." Bishop Zubik met with and had personal interactions with Pope Francis over the years. He said he last saw the pope in person on Thanksgiving Day of 2019 during a bishops conference in Rome. "On the occasions I had the privilege of being in the presence of the Holy Father during visits to the Vatican, what struck me most was not just the dignity of his office, but the warmth of his heart," Bishop Zubik said in a statement. "His attention to each person, his gentle spirit, and his genuine kindness left a lasting impression on me and so many others. He was a shepherd who smelled like his sheep-and the world is better for it." KDKA Morning Anchors David Highfield and Erica Mokay spoke with Bishop Zubik early Monday morning. "I think today, most important of all, we need to be able to pray for him," Bishop Zubik said. "It's our tradition as Catholics to be able to pray for those who have passed, and we do so with a great deal of gratitude in our hearts for all that he did as such a beautiful pastor of the [Catholic] Church throughout the world." Pittsburgh-area leaders have offered tributes as well. Gov. Josh Shapiro said, "He leaves a legacy of being a fighter for the defenseless — a teaching we should all learn from." Tributes praising Pope Francis' leadership and devotion quickly began to pour in from around the world. Pope Francis had experienced a number of health issues in recent years. He spent five weeks in the hospital in February and March 2025 with bronchitis that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy from his hospital room.
