May 10, 2025

Local Catholics react to election of first American pope

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – As the entire world watched, for the first time in history, the College of Cardinals announced the election of the first American to be the 267^th successor to Peter. Local Catholics, both stunned and elated, celebrated the news of Pope Leo XIV.

“Good afternoon as it was announced, Habemus papam. We have a pope,” said Bishop William D. Byrne at the beginning of his press conference at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield, Thursday, May 8, after the announcement at the Vatican.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is a native of Chicago and graduate of Villanova University in Philadelphia. The 69-year old Augustinian spent much of his ministry in Peru, working with the poor and forgotten.

“I am delighted by this choice. It’s very exciting I don’t think the book makers probably had long odds on an American pope, but the Holy Spirit outsmarts the bookmakers,” the bishop said.

Bishop Byrne met the new pope in September of 2023 when he was at the Vatican for a meeting of new bishops.

“He was the organizer of the event. We have a mutual friend, a priest of who is a provincial of the Augustinian order. And I said to him, ‘I know Rob.’ And we took a selfie,” the bishop explained.

From St. Michael’s Cathedral to St. Mary High School in Westfield, the news was met with excitement. The students watched it all unfold on live television.

“Well we were doing a little game in the gym. It was teachers vs. students, ‘Name that Tune.’ I was hosting with my friend and I heard someone say white smoke and I was like oh my goodness,” said St. Mary’s sophomore Jack Gilbert. He is also a member of the diocesan youth leadership team.

“We were very surprised and one of my friends pointed out that he looked like John Paul II. We looked it up and said oh my goodness, it’s almost the exact same person,” he said.

Last week, Rob Lepage, St. Mary’s High School dean of student life and theology teacher, held a mock conclave in which 133 students voted and went through the process.

“The pope has an impossible job in so many ways that can only be supported by Catholics all over the world and Christians all over the world,” said Lepage. “It’s an opportunity for all of us to recommit ourselves to Christ. There’s an opportunity for us to stay within the unity of the church led by Peter, so that we can all someday experience the salvation Jesus won for us.”

At Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield, students and faculty were also glued to the television.

“Miss Campbell put it on the big screen and I remember everyone’s reaction, especially when it came out at the bottom of the screen, American pope. Everyone was cheering. It was great,” said Pope Prep senior Hannah Fanelli.

“We were saying there was fake white smoke coming out and I was like I think this actually is real. I told Mr. Anziano. We were in Christian leadership at the time. We were all excited like wow, this is crazy. Seeing it live is special,” said Pope Prep senior Ryan Vedovelli.

Students crowded into the learning commons at the school to watch the announcement.

“When he finally came out, they made the announcement. It was all in Latin and I was translating from my Italian and I was like, ‘they just chose an American pope.’ You guys, you have no idea. I can’t believe this,” said Michael Dewey, a theology teacher at Pope Francis Preparatory School.

Maria Baez, a wife, homeschooling mom and member of St. Michael’s Cathedral parish, said the job of the faithful now is to pray for Pope Leo XIV.

“He was talking about unity, talking about being one with Christ, about the Gospels. All of that resonated with me because that’s how the church should be moving forward into the future: to be holier, to be one with Christ. We need to pay more attention to the Gospels. He talked about all of that it was very heartfelt. He will be a good pope if we, as the body of Christ, do our part and pray for him,” said Baez.

A video version of this story will be featured tonight on “Real to Reel” at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.