Catholic leaders in North Texas are opening up about the selection of the first pope from the United States. The Vatican announced Chicago Cardinal Robert Prevost would take the place of Pope Francis and take the name Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass as pontiff Friday morning at the Vatican.
"This is a moment of profound hope and renewal for the church," says Dallas Bishop Edward Burns. "Our Lord has provided a new shepherd to guide us in faith, truth and charity. What a surprise to learn a young country like the United States of America would bring forth one of her own sons to become the shepherd of the universal church."
Burns noted Pope Leo XIV used the word, peace, several times when he first spoke to crowds at the Vatican. Leo XIV also prayed the Hail Mary.
"May Mary, the mother of the Church, intercede for him because already he's grasping onto the intercession of our blessed mother who was the one who brought Christ into the world," Burns says. "That's going to be his mission to bring Christ into the world through the Church, the sacraments and the proclamation of His word."
Burns says he has not met Leo XIV. Burns has worked with the United States Conference of Bishops, but Leo XIV spent years in Peru, so the two have not crossed paths. During his first speech, Leo XIV changed to Spanish to deliver a greeting to a diocese there where he had served as bishop.
"The intellect in him is stunning," Burns says. "Also the outreach, his love for the blessed mother. I think you're going to find he's going to reach out with that full message of peace. I think you're going to see, within Pope Leo, his capturing all the wonderful traditions of the Church and bringing them to life in this modern day and age of ours, facing the many challenges we have. The message of peace is necessary today."
"That offers him an invaluable perspective about our life as the Church in the United States that has been blessed by influences from both of those cultures and experiences of the church," says Fort Worth Bishop Michael Olson.
Both Burns and Olson say they were not expecting the selection of an American pope, but Olson says he is grateful for the selection of someone who has shown his dedication to serving Christ.
"I think his whole life has been dedicated as a missionary for the Gospel who loves Christ's people, most especially the poor and those who are disenfranchised," he says.
In Dallas, Burns says the entrance National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady Guadalupe has replaced black bunting to mourn the passing of Pope Francis with white and yellow to mark the colors of the Vatican. He says parishes in the diocese will be planning Masses of thanksgiving over the next week.
"I think he recognizes he's been called to the universal level to shepherd the worldwide flock," Burns says. "Pope Leo is going to be able to appoint bishops throughout the world, and he will do that by taking special note of the needs of areas throughout the world."
Burns says he is planning to travel to Rome this summer for 2025 Jubilee. The theme for the event celebrated by Catholics every 25 years is "Pilgrims of Hope."
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