US Catholics rejoice as Francis becomes the first American Pope
In the bustling streets outside New York's iconic St. Patrick's Cathedral, 66-year-old Rosaria Vigorito, a Miami-based artist, expressed her anticipation. "I can feel the excitement just in the few minutes I've been walking around," she shared, a crucifix adorning her neck.
Vigorito hoped for a reformist Pope, a 69-year-old named Leo who, according to rumors, hailed from Chicago and spent a significant portion of his career in Peru. She urged the Catholic Church to embrace women as priests, stating, "I think Mary Magdalene was an important apostle. There was a press release issued by the Vatican years ago -- they called her the apostle to the apostles."
Amidst the crowd of faithful and journalists, Oscar Salvador, a 45-year-old laborer from Mexico, expressed his hope that Leo could stem the tide of people leaving the church. "I believe it is a blessing for the people of America," he said, his eyes gleaming. "Hopefully, he will leave a good legacy... so that more people stay in Catholicism, since lately we have seen many people leave for other religious sects."
In Houston, Texas, a city where over a quarter of residents identify as Catholic, Azul Montemayor was "a bit surprised" by the rumored American Pope. "I was not expecting an American to be elected," Montemayor said, "I'm just hoping that he carries on (pope) Francis's legacy of just being more inclusive and doesn't get swayed by more conservative ideology."
Ciro Benitez, a 41-year-old analyst, believed the prospect of an American Pope signaled "the expansion to different kinds of cultures and the world." Meanwhile, Peruvian diplomat Julio Aiana expressed his joy at having a half-Peruvian Pope, referring to the nationality Robert Francis Prevost acquired while ministering there years before becoming Pope.
The excitement extended to Washington D.C., where Francis Fah attended a special mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels to offer special prayers for Leo, the first American Pope. "I think that maybe this is a sign that hopefully he can do something to get some peace and stability in the country," she shared.
Back in New York, worshipper Tim Anderson believed Leo's strengths would lie in his linguistic abilities – reportedly speaking English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, reading Latin, and German – in addition to the chaotic world we live in today. "I'm still working on English," Anderson chuckled, "so I think it's gonna be interesting."
Among the sea of spectators, the hope for a unifying Pope was palpable. "I want Leo to bring us together," said Vigorito, acknowledging the new pontiff's daunting task ahead, with the Church grappling with a myriad of secular issues. "I would love the new pope to help, especially with conflicts in any way possible," she expressed, including situations like the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Salvador also expressed hope for reconciliation between countries in conflict and the pursuit of peace. "Having an American pope will help bring more people to the Catholic Church, and even those that have walked away — maybe they'll get reengaged," added Vigorito. Annie Elm from North Carolina paid tribute to Pope Francis, calling him "wonderful" and praising his inclusive and humble nature, while expressing her hope that Leo would be "very kind and caring — welcoming to everybody."
- In the throng of spectators, the hope for a unifying Pope extended to social media, where celebrities and populace alike celebrated the prospect of an American Pope, citing a potential revitalization of Catholicism and the potential for pop-culture influence.
- As the news of the new Pope's election spread across various platforms, many began speculating about the impact he might have on language and culture, particularly considering his alleged linguistic abilities in multiple tongues, including English, Spanish, Italian, and French.
- Some avid followers of pop-culture also mused about how the American Pope might bring a fresh perspective to church doctrine, potentially adopting progressive stances on various issues, including the embracing of women as priests and the pursuit of peace in conflict zones, such as Ukraine.
- In light of the new Pope's heritage, many started discussions on social media about how his dual citizenry (allegedly including Peruvian heritage) could serve as a bridge between cultures, facilitating greater understanding and unity across diverse communities.
- As the swirling excitement continued, some individuals expressed hope that the new Pope, as a symbol of the Church, would serve as a catalyst for positive change in entertainment and popular culture, steering the Church away from divisive rhetoric towards a more inclusive, accepting mindset.
- In the midst of joyous speculation, it is possible that the new Pope's election could usher in a new era of understanding and connectivity between Catholics and non-Catholics, bridging cultural and ideological divides – ultimately bringing happiness to those who aspire for a more unified, peaceful world.
