SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— For the first time in history, the head of the Catholic Church is from the United States.
Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected Pope and has taken the name Pope Leo the 14.
During the 12:10 p.m. mass at Saint Peters, white smoke emerged from the Vatican, many leaving the cathedral with smiles that a new pope was chosen, even though at the time, we didn't know who exactly it was.
Robert Prevost elected the first American pope in history, will take the name Leo XIV
Bells ringing in Scranton as history was made in Vatican City. Cardinal Robert Prevost of the U.S. stepped onto the balcony, now Pope Leo the 14, and according to church leaders, the name is a powerful one.
"The last pope, obviously, Pope Leo the 13, who chose that name, had written extensively throughout his pontificate on the rights of workers, write about the dignity of workers, to write about the dignity of the working class, to write about the dignity of the poor," explained Rev. Jeffrey D. Tudgay, pastor of St. Peter's Cathedral.
But beyond symbolism, there's curiosity about who this new leader is, and what direction he may take the church.
"I was surprised that it was an American and actually I was just sitting in my car finding out more about him. It says he's more of a conservative, on the conservative side, so it'll be interesting," said Maria Stuppiello, Stroudsburg.
"I don't care that I'm 80, progressive is the name of the game if you want to stay at church," voiced Rosemary McGuigan, Scranton.
"He spent most of his ministerial life in Peru, and having spent most of his ministry life in south America. He brings a perspective probably similar to that of Pope Francis, but he's also been the prefect of Vatican dicastery, in fact, the dicastery for bishops," stated Rev. Tudgay.
Still, it's a source of pride for American Catholics.
"But I think it gives us a sense of pride in an appropriate way, that we have someone that the faith in the parishes, in the diocese in the united states, that god's providence can work so beautifully right here," expressed Rev. Tudgay.
Tudgay also tells me he's hopeful Pope Leo will both inspire and challenge the faithful.
