Catholic Diocese of Green Bay Bishop David Ricken said he never thought he would see an American pope in his lifetime.
That changed when Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became the first ever pope from the United States, taking the name Leo XIV. He was selected May 8 by a majority of 133 cardinals from across the globe after just two days of the papal conclave in Rome.
The selection of an American pope is a confirmation of the strength of the U.S. Catholic church, Ricken said.
“It’s an affirmation that the church is viable, strong here, and the cardinals see that,” Ricken said. “And they see those special qualities in him.”
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago, which is an honor to the Midwest, said Father John Girotti, the Green Bay diocese’s vicar general.
“We love this part of the country. We love this part of the world, and one of our own is now the pope, the successor of St. Peter, the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics,” Girotti said. “Wow.”
Girotti was minutes away from starting Mass when he learned that white smoke had emerged from the Sistine Chapel, signifying the selection of a new pope. The circumstances were a gift, he said.
“I can’t think of a better place to be than worshiping the Lord Jesus at Mass when the new pope is announced,” Girotti said.
Pope Leo XIV has a ‘pastor’s heart,’ will bring missionary work to the forefront
The new pope appears to be a humble man, Ricken said, with a “real pastor’s heart.” Leo also brings a strong intellectual background, holding a doctorate in church law, Ricken said.
“I’ve heard that for quite a few years now, that he really loves God’s people,” Ricken said.
Leo lived in Peru as a missionary for years, which Ricken said will inspire a new perspective on how people engage with Catholicism.
“You might think a missionary means going over to another country. It may mean that, but it may mean approaching your life as a missionary,” Ricken said. “That means right here at home, in your heart, in your family, in the people you work with. Thinking of other people, picking up the phone or sending a text message to somebody that you’re wondering about or praying for, seeing the poor right in our midst … I think it means be more outwardly focused, not so narcissistically involved in yourself.”
Pope Leo XIV will build on Pope Francis’ legacy
Leo’s papacy will be unique, as every papacy is, because he is a different person, Ricken said. However, Ricken said it is clear by Leo’s first remarks that he will not discard the work of his predecessor, Pope Francis; he will build upon it.
Pope Francis “was always reaching out to the margins. But what we didn’t realize is how much he was touching people, not necessarily on the margins, but maybe disconnected from the church or the gospel,” Ricken said. “And I think this man will be able to continue that as well, in a bit different way.”
In Leo’s first remarks as pope, Ricken noticed his use of the word dialogue, which Ricken said Francis often used. The term was one of many hints in the speech that stood out to Ricken and showed a glimpse into the new pope’s perspective.
“You need to listen to (non-Catholics) and begin to mediate whatever they might need at the time,” Ricken said. “And also develop a relationship with those people as well.”
There are still many questions to be answered about Leo, Ricken said. Discovering his leadership will be “an adventure for all of us,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to his pontificate,” Ricken said. “Getting to know him and his way of approaching the challenges and the invitations of our world today.”
The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay represents 256,000 Catholics in Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago counties.
Vivian Barrett is the public safety reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach her at vmbarrett@greenbay.gannett.com or (920) 431-8314. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @vivianbarrett_.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: First American pope affirms strength of U.S. church, Catholic Diocese of Green Bay Bishop Ricken says
Reporting by Vivian Barrett, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
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