By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, May 9, 2025 / 18:28 pm
Americans gathered in St. Peter’s Square on May 8 to celebrate the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff from the United States. Born Robert Francis Prevost on Chicago’s South Side, the 69-year-old Augustinian friar was chosen by the College of Cardinals after just two days of conclave.
While American flags were scarce among the sea of international banners, those present from the U.S. lingered in the square long after the Holy Father appeared on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time. They shared prayers, chants, and reflections on the unprecedented moment.
“Never in a million years did I think that the Holy Spirit would send us a beautiful cardinal from Chicago,” said Deacon Steven Marcus, a Maronite Catholic from Florida. “You could tell by his face that he’s filled with the Holy Spirit. He’s filled with love. This is who the Church needs.”
Moments after the white smoke rose, the crowd surged toward the front of the basilica.
John Stadeno, a Villanova University graduate from Philadelphia, stood front and center with his friend, John Sanchez of New York, clutching an American flag and wearing a Phillies jersey and a baseball cap. Together they chanted the name of the spiritual father of the new pope’s religious order: “Agostino! Agostino!”
“It’s an affirmation of the Augustinian way,” Stadeno said, referencing the shared alma mater with the new pope. “Prevost is a good man. He’s worked hard as a missionary, as a bishop.
Witnessing the historic announcement of the first U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV was an awe-inspiring experience for those present in St. Peter’s Square on May 8, 2025. Brother Benedict Mary Bartsch, a 29-year-old Dominican from Hawaii studying at the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas, shared his amazement at being at the heart of the Church during this momentous occasion. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to pray for the cardinals and witness the election of the new Holy Father.
Brother Bartsch described Pope Leo XIV’s emotional reaction upon his emergence, noting the weight and burden that comes with the Papal office. Meanwhile, Andres Novoa from the Archdiocese of Miami expressed his joy by holding up an American flag in the square, emphasizing the Church’s role as a beacon of salvation and teaching in the world.
Novoa humorously reflected on the unexpected turn of events, showcasing the surprise and excitement felt by many at the announcement of Pope Leo XIV. The presence of an American Pope was a moment of pride and hope for believers worldwide.
