MILWAUKEE — As white smoke poured out of the Vatican on Thursday, bells tolled around Wisconsin churches as a new pope was chosen.
Pope Leo XIV is the first American to be chosen as Pope. He also happens to be from Chicago. This news spurred some excitement for Catholics in Milwaukee once they found out on Thursday.
“We’re joyful, I’m joyful, it’s a special time for our church,” Michael McCormack from Milwaukee said.
McCormack attended the midday service as Gesu Catholic Church in Milwaukee. It was during the service that he heard the news that the new Pope was American.
“He’s in charge of what, 1.4 billion Catholics around the world? And he’s from Chicago, which is 90 miles south of us, so that’s awesome,” McCormack said.
Bishop Jeffrey Haines with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee said when he found out the selection, he was shocked it happened so quickly, but he was pleased with the choice that was made.
“I think that there was thought in this contentious culture that that would take a while for the Cardinals to agree on it,” Bishop Haines said. “But it was amazing how quickly the Cardinals went. So, that shows I think a good sign of unity and a good sense of dialogue that went in and prayer while they were making that decision.”
Bishop Haines said he knows Pope Leo XIV was known to be a little more reserved and quieter, but someone who got work done and made a big impact in whatever he was doing.
He believes this likely played a role in the decision that was made on Thursday.
“I think that made him more amenable to the other Cardinals was that he was a missionary and that he knew a different part of the world and not just the United States,” Bishop Haines said. “He was very much living in the other culture in Peru where he lived.”
Overall, the common sentiment heard from many Milwaukee Catholics on Thursday was that they were excited for what the future holds, and to be a part of history in the making.
“It’s a blessing because it doesn’t happen for everybody and it’s happening for us,” McCormack said. “We’re getting old, so we won’t be around for the next one. So, we are glad to be here for this one.”
