As French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced to the world May 8 that Cardinal Robert F. Prevost had been elected as the successor to Pope Francis, Archbishop William E. Lori and several of his closest advisors appeared visibly stunned.
Father James Proffitt, archdiocesan vicar for clergy, was nearly leaping out of his seat, while Auxiliary Bishops Adam J. Parker and Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., exchanged looks of disbelief.
When the newly elected pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, stepped onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Archbishop Lori, his fellow bishops and approximately 50 Catholic Center staff members broke into applause and wide smiles at the historic sight of the first American pope.
They witnessed history unfold while gathered in Archbishop Borders Hall to watch a Vatican livestream.
“I think most of us did not think it would be an American, but he is an American who’s also a missionary, who spent much of his life in priesthood in Peru, in Chiclayo,” Archbishop Lori told the Catholic Review immediately after the announcement. “I think that he brings to the papacy a truly global perspective. Also, as the prefect for the Dicastery of Bishops until now, he’s already met bishops from all over the world and has a good idea about what the church is like in different countries.”
The archbishop expressed optimism for Pope Leo XIV’s leadership and said the election was a moment of pride for the church in the United States.
Archbishop Lori noted he has met Cardinal Prevost – an Augustinian – on several occasions through his roles with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and as supreme chaplain of the Knights of Columbus.
“He’s a very gentle man,” Archbishop Lori said. “I think he is a man who listens. I think he will understand the situation of the church in the United States. I’m told he’s a very prayerful and good man. I think it’s good.”
Within minutes of the announcement, Jeovani Cano of the archdiocesan facilities management team replaced the black mourning bunting that had been hung for Pope Francis with bright yellow and white papal bunting outside the Catholic Center.
Archbishop Lori will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the election of the new pope May 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. View the live stream of the Mass at Cathedral of Mary Our Queen – YouTube
Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org
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