On May 8, 2025 Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago was presented to the world as the newest leader of the Catholic Church — Pope Leo XIV.
The newly selected leader will oversee the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, including over 136,000 in the Catholic Diocese of Lubbock in Texas.
Even though he was still processing the shocking news that, for the first time ever, a U.S. citizen had been selected to be the church’s new leader, Bishop Robert Coerver addressed the media and members of his congregation in Lubbock.
“I believe this is very important to the church in the United States,” Coerver said. “He knows well the reality of our country and our people, but he also knows what the world needs as well.”
The Bishop also publicly vowed his obedience to the new Holy Father and said that even though he hasn’t met Pope Leo XIV yet, he hopes to in the coming months as Bishops from around the nation gather at the Vatican to celebrate the jubilee day for Bishops.
Repeatedly stating his shock at an American becoming Pope, Coerver urged caution when people think of him in that way.
“I think we want to be very careful not to fall into our typical American myopia, but I think it’s very significant that he does know the landscape of the church in the United States, and that’s part of what really excites me,” Coerver said. “He’s for the universal church above all.”
Coerver said Pope Leo XIV comes with a unique background, having been head of a global religious order — the Augustians — and having served in the Dicastery of Bishops — the ones that recommend Bishops to diocese worldwide for the Pope’s approval.
“He has seen the needs of the church all around the world ever since he was appointed to that office,” Coerver said.
Coerver also said the public might have gotten a glimpse of who Pope Leo XIV is and wants to be just in the first hours of his tenure via two things — his name choice and his speech.
While only the Pope knows the true reason why he picked his name, Coerver said if people look back to Pope Leo XIII (whose Papacy last from 1878 to 1903) it could be a signal to the world of Pope Leo XIV’s purpose.
“Leo the 13th is the Pope who is credited with first promoting what we now know of as and refer to as the social teachings of the Church, the social aspect of the gospel of Jesus,” Coever said.
For context, the Catholic Church’s social teachings stem from Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which advocates for workers’ rights and states that the church has a responsibility to promote social justice and guide moral principles.
Coerver said it was also important to note that the new Pope’s first speech was not spoken in his native English.
“There is a lot of animosity toward the U.S. and U.S. citizens, and I think he’s probably going to have to battle against that, which is part of why I don’t think he spoke English in the balcony today,” Coerver said. “I’d also think the Cardinals knew very well what they were doing electing somebody from the United States in 2025.”
As the dawn of a new Papacy begins, Coerver said there is one thing people worldwide can do for Pope Leo XIV as he embarks on his new ministry — pray for him.
He also asked individuals to give the new Pope some grace during this transition.
“Let’s not jump to judgment at every word he speaks,” Coerver said. “Let’s listen attentively to both what he says and what he doesn’t say and let’s also accept him at face value.”
Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock Bishop shocked, excited about selection of Leo XIV, the first American Pope
Reporting by Mateo Rosiles, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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