The Catholic Diocese of Peoria’s leader calls the election of the first American pope “of great significance for the Church and the world.”
Bishop Louis Tylka issued a statement Thursday afternoon, after Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, accepted his election from a balcony in the Vatican.
“We welcome the news of the election of the new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, with hearts full of joy and hope,” Tylka said in the statement. “As the People of God, we pledge support and fidelity to Pope Leo XIV as the Successor of Peter. United with the universal Church , we are ready to walk in faith alongside our new Holy Father, trusting in God’s providence and grace.”
Prevost is a 69-year-old American, originally from Chicago, who spent most of his career as a missionary in South America.
Central Illinois impact
A leader of one of largest Catholic parishes in the Peoria Diocese is cheering the selection of the first American pope.
Father Dustin Schultz of the Most Holy Eucharist, a parish of about 2,000 families at St. Patrick’s Church of Merna and St. Mary’s Church of Downs, said he hopes Pope Leo XIV will energize Catholics in Central Illinois.
“For the person to be from the United States and to be from Chicago, just an hour and 45 minutes north of where we are at, it’s just kind of amazing,” he said.
Schultz said the late Pope Francis' messaging helped bring some people back to the church, a legacy he hopes will continue under Pope Prevost’s papacy.
“You can certainly see that there were a number of people whose hearts and minds had been closed off to the church that were drawn to the church because of that ambiguity,” he said. “He wanted to win over as many people as possible."
Pope Francis, who died last month, devoted more public statements toward marginalized groups than his predecessors had.
Central Catholic reacts
At Central Catholic High School in Bloomington, leaders said "cheers rang through the halls" after white smoke was seen billowing from the Sistine Chapel.
“I am very excited about the election of a new Pope," said Father Derick Mwesiga, a school chaplain. "He is a good person and in his speech he mentioned that God loves all people and the Pope should be a bridge between the people and the Lord. When this happens, we become united and we become one in our mission to become disciples.”
Added Central Catholic principal Sean Foster: "Being in the school with our students as the white smoke rose and Pope Leo XIV was announced was an unforgettable moment. There was a sense of unity and pure excitement throughout our building. Not only is he the first American Pope, but he was born and raised in Chicago. It is a beautiful reminder that we are part of something bigger than ourselves — we are people full of hope, who are called to share our love of Christ with the world."
Bishop Tylka’s full statement
You can read Bishop Tylka’s full statement below:
“We welcome the news of the election of the new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, with hearts full of joy and hope. In this moment of great significance for the Church and the world, we were grateful for the guidance of the Holy Spirit who led the cardinals in their sacred task.
As the People of God, we pledge our support and fidelity to Pope Leo XIV as the Successor of Peter. United with the universal Church, we are ready to walk in faith alongside our new Holy Father, trusting in God's providence and grace.
Let us pray his pontificate will lead all Catholics in our efforts to bring Christ to the world — a world so in need of healing, truth, and peace. May the Lord bless our new Pope abundantly as he begins his ministry of service, unity, and love.”
