SOMERVILLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Local Catholics reacted to the naming of the first American-born pope with shock.
Robert Francis Prevost, who took the name Pope Leo XIV, was elected Thursday.
A native of Chicago, he was previously a missionary in Peru later serving as the head of the Vatican's office for bishop appointments.
Outside St. Anthony's Parish in Somerville on Thursday afternoon, people like Joe were stunned by the announcement. "An American pope!" he exclaimed. "There were a lot of people who were saying that would never happen because it puts too much power with the U.S. and then the Roman Catholic church with 1.5 billion followers. That's a lot of concentration of power," he said.
Meanwhile at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cambridge, Jose said he hoped Leo would continue the progressive legacy left by Francis. "My concern would be that they would then take a step backwards," he said.
St. Mary's Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha will celebrate a Mass for Pope Leo XIV in Fall River on May 16 at noon.
WBZ NewsRadio's Madison Rogers (@MadisonWBZ) reports.