Local Catholics react to selection of Pope Leo XIV with excitement, hope
Luis Avila
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The sound of church bells ringing across the Coachella Valley, signaling the dawn of a new papacy.
American cardinal Robert F. Prevost elected as the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV.
Church-goers at Sacred Heart Catholic Church filled with emotion.
“I am so excited. I just got out of tennis and I was going to go to the office of Sacred Heart and just so excited we have a new pope. And he’s American.”
Isabel Chapman, Indian Wells resident
“I was in my car. I was waiting. We were all on standby today because this seems to be the magic day.”
Debby Aiton, Palm Desert resident
Many eager to see how the new pope will lead the church. Pastor Gregory Elder says you don’t have to look far beyond his chosen name, Leo, to understand the kind of pope he intends to be.
“That tells me that this gentleman has chosen that name because he is forward looking and willing to embrace new ideas.”
Pastor Gregory Elder, Sacred Heart Catholic Church
And the influence he’ll bring to the Catholic Church.
“I’m glad we have someone who is open to other people, and open to new cultures and ideas. The fact that he’s American yet fluent in Spanish is a thing that is very important. Latin American church is very significant. We also have a large Spanish language community in this country. So he’s going to be familiar with that, and that’s a wonderful thing.”
Pastor Gregory Elder, Sacred Heart Catholic Church
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