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" United States Experiences Shock and Excitement"

U.S. residents, taken aback and elated, discovered yesterday at noon that an American has been appointed as Pope, a development that runs contrary to betting forecasts.

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In an astonishing turn of events, it was publicly announced at midday on Thursday that an American...
In an astonishing turn of events, it was publicly announced at midday on Thursday that an American has been appointed as the first-ever Pontiff from the United States, a development that left many stunned and filled with pride, even surpassing the expectations of betting odds forecasters.

" United States Experiences Shock and Excitement"

In an unexpected turn of events, everyday Americans found themselves celebrating the election of their beloved compatriot as the first-ever U.S.-born pope, Leo XIV, on Thursday afternoon. Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Leo XIV, took the helm of the Catholic Church, even surprising the odds of bookmakers.

Tim Anderson, a jubilant 61-year-old man from the New York region, couldn't help but express his disbelief and joy while perched on the steps of the famous St. Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Avenue. "I'm shocked, and then there's the pride," he said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"I'm hopeful that he can restore what I knew in my youth, when churches were full, not empty like they are today," Anderson said, his hopes high that the new pope would continue in the footsteps of his revolutionary predecessor, Pope Francis. " These times are crazy, and it will be interesting to see what he does."

Rosaria Vigorito, a lively 66-year-old woman from Miami, Florida, could hardly contain her excitement while wandering inside and outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral, which is a popular tourist destination for thousands every day. "I'm exhilarated, but, I only have one problem with the Catholic Church, and I hope it will be fixed—so that women can finally be ordained as priests," she said, wearing a small plastic crucifix around her neck.

Pope Francis had led revolutionary reforms within the Catholic Church and opened doors by appointing women to key positions in the Curia. However, the hopes of feminist groups for the opening of the diaconate to women were dashed at the conclusion of the last worldwide assembly on the future of the Church.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who earlier in the week posted an image of himself in papal attire, had a complicated relationship with Pope Francis. After Trump's return to power on January 20, the Argentine Jesuit, a strong defender of the marginalized, did not soften his tone, stating that migrant expulsions "demeaned the dignity of many men and women."

Will Leo XIV, a 69-year-old American with a progressive sensibility, challenge the conservative president? "I hope he will be a just voice. Period. Not a Democrat or a Republican, he should not play politics, but simply tell Trump: look at your people, look at your country," responded Annie Elm, a woman from North Carolina who was thrilled about the election of an American pope.

"His task will be very difficult given the current troubles in the world," said Francis Fah, a Catholic from Los Angeles. For her, the fact that the new pope is American "may be a sign that he can do something to bring peace and stability to the country."

Shattering Expectations

The Reverend Ronald Jameson, who serves at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, was a mix of surprise and satisfaction at the election of a new pope who is expected to continue the work of Francis. "I'm very proud, but I must say, completely shocked! I never expected to see an American pope in my lifetime," he said.

"To see a new pope who will follow in the footsteps of Francis means a lot to me. Francis has been very important in my life," Jameson added, recalling when he hosted the pontiff at his cathedral in 2015. "I'm very happy to have heard Leo XIV speak about peace this morning in his first address. He is following in the footsteps of Francis."

In Houston, Texas (south), the surprise is the same: "I didn't expect an American to be elected pope. I just hope he'll carry on Francis' legacy by being more inclusive, and not get swayed by a more conservative ideology like we're seeing now in the US with President Trump," hopes Azul Montemayor, a 29-year-old coordinator at a senior center.

Just minutes before the announcement of a new pope, bookmakers were expecting the election of the Italian cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, or even the Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa, but not an American.

Leo XIV, with his global perspective and background in evangelism and administration, is highly positioned to confront the challenges of leading a rapidly changing Church and engaging diverse communities in dialogue. Marc Antonio Canoa, a Vatican expert from Rome, expressed his optimism, stating that Leo XIV's election could introduce a new era of reform and inclusivity in the Catholic Church.

  1. Annie Elm, a woman from North Carolina, expressed her hope that Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected American pope, would serve as a just voice, not playing politics but addressing the current issues faced by the country.
  2. Francis Fah, a Catholic from Los Angeles, believed that the fact that the new pope is American may be a sign that he can bring peace and stability to the country, given the current troubles in the world.
  3. The Reverend Ronald Jameson, serving at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, was both surprised and proud at the election of an American pope expected to continue the work of his revolutionary predecessor, Pope Francis.
  4. Marc Antonio Canoa, a Vatican expert from Rome, expressed optimism about the potential new era of reform and inclusivity in the Catholic Church under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, given his global perspective and background in evangelism and administration.

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