Americans In St. Peter’s Square Were Stunned By Choice Of New Pope

In Vatican City, Americans gathered in St. Peter’s Square were surprised and elated to hear that an American cardinal, Robert Prevost, had been chosen as the new pope on Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV.

Father Thomas Montanaro, a priest from the Legionaries of Christ, expressed his disbelief at witnessing a North American become the Holy Father in their lifetime. The square was filled with tens of thousands of people who cheered “viva il papa” and applauded the new pope.

Father Darius Lawrence, a priest from California, admitted that the news took him by surprise as an American, as he had never expected to see an American pope. The crowd celebrated the historic moment, although there were few American flags present, indicating lack of preparedness.

Leo addressed the crowd in Italian and then in Spanish, a language he used during his missionary work in Peru, where he also gained citizenship. The hope is that the new pope will guide the Catholic Church and possibly influence global politics positively.

President Donald Trump in Washington expressed honor at an American being elected pope, while a Peruvian student studying in Rome, Thomas NicolinChicli, also found significance in Prevost’s election due to his ties to Peru.

The news of Prevost’s election as pope brought joy to many, including Peruvians who appreciated his work in their country and hoped he would bring renewed faith to the younger generation.