Bishop Mark Seitz and the El Paso Diocese expressed their joy in the election of the new pope, Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV is the first elected pope from the United States, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis from Chicago. He is 69 years old and considered a moderate and known for his commitment to international collaboration.
“With praise and thanksgiving in the Risen Lord Jesus, during the year of the Jubilee of Hope, theDiocese of El Paso rejoices at the news that the Church has been blessed with a new Holy Father,” Seitz said in an emailed statement.
“We offer our most fervent prayers for Pope Leo XIV that the Holy Spirit may fill him with wisdom, strength, and compassion as he begins his ministry as Shepherd of the Universal Church,” he said. “May the Holy Spirit guide and sustain him as he leads the Church in proclaiming the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Seitz concluded his statement by saying that he, the Most Rev. Anthony C. Celino, the clergy, and parishioners invite all to pray for the new pope as he embraces this sacred ministry.
The pope’s election came on the second day of the conclave, which drew cardinals from 70 nations. A vote late Wednesday and two more rounds Thursday morning failed to produce a two-thirds majority for any prospective pontiff.
He greeted thousands, many overcome with emotion as he spoke from the red velvet-draped central balcony at St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Leo XIV greeted thousands of faithful and onlookers, many overcome with emotion, as he spoke from the red velvet-draped central balcony at St. Peter’s Square. “Peace be with you all,” he told the cheering crowd in fluent Italian. The new pontiff, who became the church’s 267th pope, also spoke in Spanish during his brief address.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok.
USA Today contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Bishop Mark Seitz, El Paso Diocese celebrates election of Pope Leo XIV, first US pontiff
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
