MILWAUKEE — Just like the more than one billion Catholics around the world, parishioners of St. Augustine of Hippo Catholic Church in Milwaukee said they are looking forward to seeing how the new pope, Pope Leo XIV, will lead the church, especially with his Augustinian background.
The first Sunday mass after the introduction of the new pope on Thursday provided a moment of reflection
In his homily, Father Edward Sanchez encouraged his parishioners to pray for the Catholic Church’s new leader.
“We all need a shepherd,” Sanchez said. “We all need a guide in our life and that Jesus sends us shepherds. That’s why he established the priesthood. He gives us a pope.”
At the corner of the church, there is a statue of St. Augustine of Hippo. With Pope Leo XIV being the first pope that’s a member of the order of Augustine, Sanchez said he thinks it will play a role in his leadership style.
“Maybe Pope Leo with this Augustinian background can point us towards a deepening and appreciation towards friendship in the church and in society and teach us how to live that out,” said Sanchez.
Parishioner Anne Stoner said she recalled her shock that the new pope was from the Midwest.
Stoner said she hopes that he is a leader who seeks peace in the world.
“We trust in Jesus, how he laid it out that the holy spirit is in charge,” said Stoner. “We all pray for him. It’s a tough job, I would assume, to be in that position.”
“The first American pope belongs to us in so many ways and that means that we need to pray for him that he will be, not just the first American pope, but the first American pope who is a saint,” said Sanchez.