St. Cloud Diocese Celebrates Historic Election of First American-Born Pope, Leo XIV

(KNSI) – The Diocese of Saint Cloud is welcoming the election of the first American-born Pope in Church history.

The bells from Saint Mary’s Cathedral tolled in downtown St. Cloud for ten minutes after Robert Prevost was elected the 267th Bishop of Rome. The Chicago-born missionary took the name Leo XIV.

In his first words, he emphasized peace, dialogue, and missionary evangelization, saying “Thank you to my Cardinal brothers who chose me to be the successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the Gospel.”

He also issued a message to the church, saying it needs to be “especially charitable to those who are suffering.”

The 69-year-old pontiff is also a Peruvian citizen, living for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop. He was first appointed Cardinal in 2023.

Bishop Patrick Neary expressed his support and prayers for the new pontiff. “I am so pleased that we have such a worthy successor to Pope Francis in Cardinal Prevost. There is hardly a more challenging or important role of leadership in our world. May the Holy Spirit fill the heart of our newly appointed shepherd with wisdom and courage as he leads the Church. May he be a prophetic witness to the Gospel of unity, hope, peace and justice for peoples of every land and nation. May God grant him a long and fruitful tenure as the Successor of Peter.”

Vicar General for the diocese, Father Scott Pogatchnik echoed his excitement, adding, “The election of Pope Leo XIV is so timely for this moment in the life of the Church. Chosen amidst Easter Sundays that mark Jesus’ thrice-repeated question to Peter — ‘Do you love me?’ — and Good Shepherd Sunday, his elevation feels providential. Here is a man who leads without bravado and listens without passivity, embodying both the pastoral tenderness and administrative wisdom the Church deeply needs. His balanced presence offers confidence that the Petrine ministry can unify, inspire, and shepherd a global flock with both conviction and compassion.”

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