JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mass and St. Augustine Catholics reacted to the papal conclave’s choice of Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV: What to know about Robert Prevost, the first American pope
The Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops was elected the first pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.
Joey Do was leaving Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in downtown. He said he was raised Catholic and had a great deal of respect for Pope Francis, and he’s excited for the new Pope Leo XIV.
“Just happy, just praying that we, all of us Catholics, left, right, submit to God‘s will. Not what we want. That’s what God taught me years ago, and I’m so glad he did. A big key is humility, and that’s what Pope Francis left us. That’s the key to going to heaven,” Do said.
Mayor Donna Deegan issued her sentiments about the new pope.
As a lifelong Catholic, it is profoundly touching to see an American chosen to lead the Church for the first time. I’m praying for Pope Leo XIV and hopeful to hear his message of building bridges with people of all faiths. May God bless his journey.
— Donna Deegan (@DonnaDeegan) May 8, 2025
Barbara Bain said she was excited as well.
“I really appreciated his message of mercy, giving mercy. To forgive people, it really requires to give mercy, an act of mercy,” Bain said. “I want it to be continued. Forgiveness of all, even our enemies, we must forgive and love one another.”
Thursday night mass was extra special at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandarin for people like Aaron Raju. He never thought he’d live to see an American pope.
“For a country that’s barely 250 years old this is a pretty historic moment,” said Raju. “I can’t believe I’m living to see it.”
Chela Jones was thankful for the historic moment.
“Coming to mass, of course, to celebrate mass, and also for the glory of the new pope, and that it was done quickly, and it was a beautiful sight to see that he’s actually an American Pope,” said Jones. “So that was a beautiful thing today.”
The news that Pope Leo XIV is American stunned Sienna Miller.
“To be honest, it made me kind of fall out of my seat. I was totally shocked that we had an American Pope,” said Miller.
Gerald Schmidt said he is excited for the new pope and hopes he reverses some of the things that Pope Francis did.
“Pope Francis, I would personally say 75% of what he did was good. But there was that 25% that wasn’t Catholic teaching and most Catholics would agree with me there,” Schmidt said.
Rev. Michael Kieler, the Parochial Vicar for St. Joseph Catholic Church is praying for Pope Leo XIV as he begins his tenure.
“It is a time of transition, but to know that God’s in control of his church, and he’s chosen Leo XIV for this time in history and this time in our church,” he said. “We’re all excited about it.”
Other Catholics at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine said they were surprised the new pope is American. People who aren’t catholic are just watching with intrigue.
TELL US: How do you feel about the new pope, Leo XIV?
This parish has been around since 1565. People were filled with joy. This is how one couple visiting from Tallahassee reacted.
“I didn’t grow up when John Paul grew up or St. Francis and so forth but having an American pope will feel different for me I will be able to delve more into where he is coming from because I will understand it. It is nice to know we have a leader, and like I said we hope the holy spirit gave him guidance and picked a good one but it’s nice to know we have an American that will be very very interesting,” the couple said.
In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo, 69, said, “Peace be with you,” and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013. He spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English.
