New Yorkers rejoiced over the choice of a brand new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, the primary American chosen as Bishop of Rome for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Hours after white smoke billowed from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel signaling the choice of a brand new Pope, devoted followers flocked to Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral to say prayers and supply finest needs to Chicago native Robert Cardinal Prevost, the brand new Catholic Holy Father.
Roman Catholics pray and light-weight candles at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, New York Metropolis, on Thursday, Could 8, 2025, after the election of Pope Leo XIV. (Gardiner Anderson / New York Every day Information)
“I think it’s interesting that this Pope is from Chicago, which saw a lot of the initial labor movements begin there,” mentioned Chris Kennedy, of Astoria. “It’s always been a big union town. And so I think Pope Leo XIV’s selection reminds us that America is not just about Trump, but a country that has always had this long legacy of rights of laborers. I just put a candle under the statue of St. Peter. Peter, of course, was the first Pope. I lit a candle and said a Hail Mary for Pope Leo XIV.”
Roman Catholics pray and light-weight candles at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, New York Metropolis, on Thursday, Could 8, 2025, after the election of Pope Leo XIV. (Gardiner Anderson / New York Every day Information)
Anthony Dunn, who was visiting from Philadelphia, mentioned he and his colleagues began texting one another when the white smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
”It was sort of surreal,” mentioned Dunn, a know-how integration coach on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. “It flashed on our screens ‘American’ and we were, like, ‘Who is that?’ You kind of expect someone like [New York’s Timothy] Cardinal Dolan or someone you know. But then we realized — ‘Oh no, I’ve seen him before. I know him.’ So it’s exciting. I just hope he’s a good person. Hopefully, he’s for everybody.”
Roman Catholics pray and light-weight candles at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, New York Metropolis, on Thursday, Could 8, 2025, after the election of Pope Leo XIV. (Gardiner Anderson / New York Every day Information)
Bells rang out on the venerable Fifth Ave. cathedral after the brand new Pope Leo emerged onto a balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Sq. in Vatican Metropolis. Guests to the Manhattan church expressed hope that the brand new pontiff would comply with within the footsteps of Pope Francis, who died final month after a tenure that centered on humility and compassion.
Certainly, the brand new pontiff wasted no time outlining his imaginative and prescient for the worldwide Church, calling on Christians to “show our charity” and “be in dialogue with love,” messages that resonated with Large Apple dwellers from Bayside to Bensonhurst.
“We have to seek together to be a missionary church,” the brand new Pope Leo advised the thick crowd that stuffed St. Peter’s Sq. for a glimpse of the pontiff, “a church that builds bridges and dialogue.”
Roman Catholics pray and light-weight candles at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, New York Metropolis, on Thursday, Could 8, 2025, after the election of Pope Leo XIV. (Gardiner Anderson / New York Every day Information)
Locals mentioned they have been particularly thrilled that the bridges stretch all the best way to the States.
“What a momentous day for Catholics here in Queens and across the world,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards mentioned in a social media publish. “We have a Pope — an American Pope, at that. God bless Pope Leo XIV. May his leadership inspire Catholics and non-Catholics alike to continue building bridges and uniting communities.”
Mayor Adams mentioned New Yorkers would look to Pope Leo “for leadership and inspiration.”
“With the selection of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the first American in history to serve as Pope, the Vatican has uplifted the voices of Catholics across the five boroughs and our entire country,” Adams mentioned in a press release.
“New York City is a global city, bringing together Catholics from all around the world, and I know that given his international service, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will bring an inclusive perspective to the papacy.”
Even Knicks followers, whose crew is up 2-0 within the newest spherical of the NBA playoffs, thought there may be a hidden blessing within the new Pope’s choice. Three of the crew’s stars performed school ball at Villanova College, Pope Leo’s alma mater.
“What a holy blessing,” Knicks uber fan Spike Lee mentioned on Instagram in a publish predicting an NBA championship.
Vera Ribeiro, who was visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral from Brazil, had extra down-to-earth expectations of the primary American Pope.
“It’s fantastic,” she mentioned. “It’s innovation. It’s modern, and he looks at the world with new eyes. I like it very much.”
Initially Revealed: Could 8, 2025 at 5:14 PM EDT
