DAYTONA BEACH — When the new pope walked onto the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time Thursday, for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, it was a moment to pray for their new spiritual leader and hope for all the good he can bring to the world.
The choice of Robert Francis Prevost to be the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church was extra special for Catholics in the United States since Pope Leo XIV is the first-ever U.S.-born pope.
The Rev. Phil Egitto, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Daytona Beach, is also happy the cardinals chose a man with a heart for social justice, human rights, the poor, the marginalized and migrants.
“I think he’ll live the Gospel,” Egitto said. “I think he believes in a church where all are welcome.”
Egitto said he’s “very excited” about the choice of Prevost, who was born and raised in Chicago and later spent nearly 20 years in Peru doing missionary work and serving as a parish priest and bishop.
He said the fact Prevost belongs to the Order of St. Augustine is “very special.” The Augustinian Order believes in living together harmoniously and sharing resources.
Egitto hopes Prevost is able to calm some turmoil in the United States and throughout the world.
“I certainly believe the pope is a world figure and what he says matters,” he said. “He should be able to help with our divisiveness.”
Pope Leo exciting and inspiring local Catholics
Carol Podschelne, a member of the Basilica of St. Paul Catholic Church in Daytona Beach, also has high hopes for what Pope Leo will be able to do in the coming years and decades.
“The new pope excited me so much I was glued to the TV,” Podschelne said. “I thought ‘wow, this is a gift.’ “
At 69 years old, Pope Leo XIV is younger than his two immediate predecessors. Pope Francis was 76 and Benedict XVI was 78 when they each became pope. Pope John Paul II, however, was just 58 when he became pope in 1978.
Podschelne, who’s 80, senses the choice of a younger pope could signal progression in the Catholic Church. She also sees more young people in Masses at her church.
“I see the church evolving,” she said. “I think the new pope will bring younger energy and new excitement to the church.”
She predicts Pope Leo will help provide priests with what they need, and help the United States.
Bill Milano of Ponce Inlet, a lifelong Catholic, said he’s “happy and proud” about the selection of Prevost.
“I think it’s great,” Milano said. “Leo is so similar to Pope Francis. It’s going to be a continuation of the wonderful things he’s done.”
Milano hopes Pope Leo will continue Francis’ emphasis on “human rights, equal rights and taking care of all.”
Like others, Milano is happily surprised an American was chosen. The United States had 10 cardinals eligible to vote for a new pope, and Europe had 53, so Milano thought that stronger voting power would lead to a European pope.
Robert Prevost humbly did God’s work
The Rev. Fred Ruse of Ormond Beach, a retired priest who still helps local parishes, said the selection of Prevost is “another beautiful surprise.”
“The spirit never disappoints,” Ruse said.
He suspects Francis elevated Prevost because he did what the former pope thought was extremely important. Prevost was promoted to archbishop in 2023 and then cardinal last year.
“It’s in the peripheries where Francis said we want to be the center,” Ruse said. “(Prevost) may have been the pick of Francis subconsciously.”
Prevost’s belief in including everyone and immersing himself where there’s need aligned with Francis.
“We’re walking this together,” Ruse said. “One of Pope Francis’ favorite lines was everyone, everyone, everyone. Prevost fit that bill perfectly. Francis said if a priest doesn’t have dust on his shoes, he’s not much use.”
His selection of the name Leo also reflects he will honor the tradition of the previous Pope Leo in the late 1800s, who fought for workers’ basic rights and dignity, Ruse said.
Prevost didn’t self-promote, Ruse said. He just worked hard for many years in the background, and loved whoever he encountered.
“He’s not shy about getting out there and doing what needs to be done,” Ruse said. “He was almost under the radar and invisible, yet effective. It’s not about us. It’s about the Gospel.”
You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Pope Leo XIV being welcomed by Daytona Beach-area Catholics and priests
Reporting by Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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