SPOKANE, Wash — Catholics from across Spokane gathered Wednesday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes to celebrate the historic Papal election of Cardinal Robert Prevost, who will now be known as ‘Pope Leo XIV.’
Pope Leo is the first American pope in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history.
Reactions from those gathered at the Cathedral were emotional, with many expressing excitement and happiness over the new pope.
The new pontiff delivered his first address with the words “Peace be with you,” a message that deeply resonated with Spokane’s Catholic community.
“Several of his comments during his address had to do with the idea that God loves you. You are loved by God as you are,” said Father Darrin Connall, who led morning Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes.
He said the church is grateful to once again have a Pope.
“It’s hard to be without a Pope as a Catholic,” said Father Connall. “And I was very pleased with this particular chosen choice. And I’m very hopeful.”
For Father Robert Lyons, chaplain at Gonzaga University, the new appointment brought unexpected emotion.
“In many ways I kind of choked up when I first heard it,” Father Lyons said.
Lyons noted that seeing former Spokane Bishop Cardinal Cupich at St. Peter’s Square with “a big smile on his face” gave him confidence in the selection.
“I knew that they had made a decision that really touched the heart,” Father Lyons added.
The selection of the name Leo appears deliberate, with many Catholic leaders noting the connection to Pope Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903 and was known for his work addressing social inequality and injustice.
“He wants to continue that,” Father Lyons said.
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