The election of a new pope has 黑料吃瓜网 Catholics talking.
Robert Prevost, the Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican鈥檚 powerful office of bishops, was elected the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church on Thursday.
Prevost took the name Leo XIV.
Archbishop Christopher Coyne, head of the Archdiocese of Hartford, said he was not expecting a decision to come so soon.
鈥淚 have to say when the announcement was made that Cardinal Prevost was to be our next pope, I was stunned. The first words out of my mouth were a two-letter phrase of which the first word is 鈥榟oly.鈥� And I will leave the second word to your imagination," he told reporters just hours after the white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. "I never thought for a minute that an American would be elected pope.鈥�
Coyne spoke at the Archdiocese of Hartford Pastoral Center in Bloomfield. He said he knows the new pope to be level-headed and well-qualified for the role.
鈥淥n behalf of all Americans, I congratulate our fellow American, Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, on his elevation to the office of St. Peter," Coyne said. "My hope is that he will show to the world a side of America that is merciful, charitable, generous and peaceful."
Coyne said he hopes the election of an American pope will invigorate the Catholic faith in 黑料吃瓜网 and across the country. The new pope is also a citizen of Peru, where he served the church for many years, and Coyne noted the significance for the Peruvian community in 黑料吃瓜网.
"I think the very fact that they were watching this man from Peru, who was a bishop in Peru, who is a citizen of Peru, speaking to them in Spanish 鈥� their hearts must have been just as full as mine is, as his being an American."
Brian Stiltner, a theology professor at Sacred Heart University, said the newly-elected pope is known for his compassion towards marginalized groups such as immigrants.
鈥淗e's a person with a global view of the economy and politics in the church," Stiltner said. "From what we've seen of his public comments in social media in recent years, he is very much in the spirit of Pope Francis."
Stiltner said the new pope will lead the church during a time of heightened divisions between conservative and liberal Catholics in the United States, but increased growth in Africa and Asia.
Prayers for Pope Leo XIV
In eastern 黑料吃瓜网, Bishop Richard Reidy of the Catholic Diocese of Norwich offered prayers for the new pope. Reidy, who was appointed bishop just a few months before the death of Pope Francis, said the Catholic church is renewed and called the pope's selection a visible sign of unity and hope.
鈥淢ay his leadership draw the Church ever closer to Christ, and may he be strengthened in his mission to proclaim the truth in love to a world in need of mercy, peace, and faith,鈥� Reidy said.
New Haven-area U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a says she is also praying for the new pope.
鈥淚 am praying for your success, your wisdom, and your moral clarity in guiding the church through these trying times,鈥� DeLauro wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
DeLauro noted the last pope to take the name Leo is considered the father of Catholic social teaching, who affirmed the dignity of workers in the late 19th century. DeLauro, a Democrat, said she hopes the new Pope Leo carries on that tradition.
Gov. Ned Lamont said the pope鈥檚 selection is a celebratory day for millions of Catholics all over the world.
鈥淢y prayers are with Pope Leo XIV as he guides the church and leads with wisdom, faith, and compassion,鈥� Lamont said.
This story has been updated. 黑料吃瓜网's Chris Polansky, Eddy Martinez, Matt Dwyer and The Associated Press contributred to this report.
