Angelenos react to election of first pope from the US: 'It is shocking'

With the world still digesting the news that an American had been elected as pope for the first time, Angelenos expressed their shock and excitement at a special Mass held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels downtown.

Soon after white smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel on Thursday to signal that a new pope has been chosen, U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago emerged as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name Pope Leo XIV.

Appearing on the balcony at St. Peter's Basilica, the 69-year-old said, "Peace be with all of you!" To a stunned crowd, he also thanked his fellow cardinals, speaking in Italian, Spanish and Latin. He thanked his former diocese in Peru, the country were he spent years working, "where a loyal people has shared its faith and has given a lot."

Father Juan Ochoa, director for the Office of Divine Worship in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, said Prevost's election was a real surprise.

"Well, it is shocking, you know," he said. "When I heard the name, I said there's no way we have an American pope. My whole life I have heard we are never going to have an American pope because we're the most powerful nation in the world and there's no way the pope is going to be American."

But given the Spanish-speaking pope's history of working in Peru, Ochoa said he represents so much more than the U.S.

"It's very exciting ... for us to have an American pope, but I would say not just an American pope, but he's a pope of the Americas," he said.

Large crowds celebrate the selection of a new pope in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.

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Antonio Masiello

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Getty Images Europe

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Prevost, whose papal election came on the second day of the conclave, had not been a prominent name on lists of potential candidates as cardinals converged on the Vatican. But under his predecessor, Pope Francis, he held the hugely influential Vatican post of running the office that selects bishops.

He also served in Peru for two decades, during which he became a bishop and began to rise through the ranks. By 2023, Francis had elevated him to cardinal. (For more on his history, go here.)

Archbishop Jose Gomez said he was “very encouraged” by the new pope’s words and the fact that he talked about the need for “everyone in the church to be missionaries.”

“He has the experience of being born in the United States and also a bishop in Latin America. So he really understands well what is the reality of the movement of peoples and the needs for immigration all over the continent,” Gomez said.

He also said Pope Leo’s election highlights the U.S. and “helps all of us to understand the church in the United States is alive.”

Jose Jurtado, a lifelong Catholic from Pasadena who doesn't usually attend noon Mass at the Cathedral, said he was there to celebrate having a pope represent the U.S. for the first time.

“I think it's awesome we have an American pope, and I think it's awesome that he has a good direction for the church," he added.

Attending Mass with his wife Rosalinda, Joseph Montes of Highland Park said he appreciates the new pope’s chosen name and hopes it signals a commitment to social justice.

"Surprised and happy that the new pope took on Leo the 14th as his papal name because Leo the 13th was very high on social justice issues, and so I'm hoping this pope will be the same," he said.

Kenneth Collins, who attends mass at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral daily, said he hopes new pope can bring unity to the church.

“The fact that he is an American is very surprising, but I'm very happy, and I think the whole church is happy that we have a new Holy Father now,” he added.