CHICAGO – Rome, the ancient city and historic home of the Catholic Church, felt close to the South Side on Sunday as Chicagoans were still coming to terms with the reality that a son of the neighborhood had become pope, the first American ever.
Pope Leo XIV, the successor to Pope Francis, was born roughly three miles south of Chicago’s iconic downtown Loop area and was first introduced to his faith at a parish on the outskirts south of the city. Residents were left stunned and have been rejoicing since his election at the conclave last week.
“It’s amazing,” remarked David Williams, a South Sider who attended a packed Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. “Now we’re known for Michael Jordan, Al Capone, and the pope. The Chicago holy trinity. We’ll let the public decide in what order they want to prioritize them.”
Leo’s unexpected election took Chicago by surprise. The city, with a population of 2.6 million, has long been recognized as a Catholic stronghold in the United States. However, the idea of a pope hailing from the nation was once considered unimaginable due to America’s influence on the global stage.
Now that Leo has been chosen, some believe that a Chicagoan is precisely what the world needs.
“It demonstrates that Jesus unites people from all backgrounds, from the extremely affluent to the very impoverished,” said Williams, 62, who sees Leo as continuing the service-oriented ethos established by Francis. “This is a significant part of the Christian tradition.”
His wife, Frieda Williams, anticipates that he will be able to connect with people from all walks of life.
“Chicago is diverse, so they really selected someone who embodies diversity,” noted the 68-year-old, highlighting Leo’s dual citizenship with Peru and Creole heritage. “They truly got someone who represents all individuals.”
Parishioners at the church just north of the Loop remarked that Sunday’s Mass following Leo’s election was more crowded than Easter.
The first Masses in Chicago after Leo’s election coincided with the South Side native delivering his inaugural Sunday address in St. Peter’s Square, where he warned of a “piecemeal” third world war and made an appeal for peace.
In his hometown, churches were adorned with yellow and white Vatican flags and churchgoers cheered “Viva Papa Leo XIV.”
Bishop Daniel Turley blessed a man outside St. Rita of Cascia in Chicago following Mass on Sunday. Turley, 82, celebrated the election of Pope Leo XIV, a fellow Augustinian, missionary to Peru, South Sider, and White Sox fan.
St. Mary of the Assumption − the church where Leo received his religious education − may be closed, but other institutions he was associated with are still operational, along with many individuals who knew him when he was known as Robert Francis Prevost.
Outside a South Side church on Sunday, Bishop Daniel Turley shared his experience of learning that Leo would become pope.
“Turley, a Chicago native, is familiar with the new pope. He believes that the pope’s missionary spirit will have a positive impact as he takes on his new role, showing great concern for the entire world. Turley and the future pope bonded over their shared love for the Chicago White Sox, tennis, and cumbia music from northern Peru. Both having served as missionaries in South America, they developed a deep appreciation for their faith through interactions with the local community.
At St. Rita of Cascia church, Alondra and Alfredo Aliviar, regular parishioners, felt honored to have been blessed by Pope Leo XIV when he was still a cardinal in the area. Attending Mass felt like a sacred experience for them. The couple, along with their young sons, were thrilled to be part of the celebration.
Similarly, Ted and Katie Kolbus, devout Catholics visiting their son Nathan, were excited about the election of an American pope, especially one from the Midwest. While Nathan may be a Cubs fan, he is open to the influence of the new pope, joking about the possibility of a conversion.
Chicagoans came together to celebrate the first Sunday after the election of Pope Leo IV, reflecting on the significance of this historic moment for the city and the Catholic community.”
