Minnesota Catholics praise the selection of the first U.S. pope

Minnesota Catholics expressed delight Thursday as the Catholic Church welcomed its first pope from the United States.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago and has spent most of his career ministering in Peru, was selected the global leader of the church by the College of Cardinals at the Vatican. He took the name Pope Leo XIV.

St. Paul and Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda, like other area Catholics, said he was excited and surprised to have a U.S.-born pope who has experience with the church in other parts of the world.

"I never thought I would see an American pope," Hebda said as he stood outside the Archdiocesan Catholic Center in St. Paul. "How exciting is that?"

Americans have not been seen as likely candidates to lead the Catholic Church, which boasts more than 1.4 billion followers worldwide.

Hebda said Americans are seen "as being somewhat distant from the church in Rome" and a U.S.-born pope would have to navigate political matters.

"So how is it that the Holy Father is able to deal with President Trump, for example. ... Would those ties be too close or too distant?" Hebda asked.

As a superpower, the U.S. already wields tremendous global influence, said Father Chris Collins, the vice president for mission at the University of St. Thomas.

Nevertheless, Hebda, Collins and others said they were impressed by Pope Leo's background. He studied in Rome and has spent more than 20 years serving in Peru. Besides English, he speaks Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese, and can read Latin and German.

The new pontiff's mix of international and American experience could make him well suited for the role, especially at a time of heightened political polarization.

"I could see him being a great figure right now, both coming from an American and Western perspective but also having deep experience in other cultures," Collins said. "That's really what you want in a global faith leader."

Hebda said he's corresponded with Pope Leo but hasn't met him in person. He said he has heard "extremely positive" reactions from others in the church.

Many see Pope Leo as a continuation of the direction that his predecessor, Pope Francis, steered the church – noting that Leo has signaled a commitment to the dignity of every person, being preferential to the poor and building solidarity among people of different walks of life.

"Someone who will continue the teachings of Pope Francis — we are full of rejoice for that," Juan Linares, a member of the Church of the Incarnation on Minneapolis' south side, said before Thursday Mass. "Welcome the foreigner, welcome the stranger – that means we need to listen to all."

The speed at which the conclave settled on Pope Leo — in just two days — also surprised local Catholics, who saw it as a sign of unity within the church.

Kay and Michael O'Keefe, who also visited the Incarnation church, said the decision reflected a victory for Pope Francis, who they said packed the College of Cardinals with likeminded people.

"Pope Francis won the day," Michael O'Keefe said.