Americans in St. Peter's Square were stunned by choice of new pope

VATICAN CITY – Americans successful St. Peter’s quadrate were stunned and joyous erstwhile they learned that an American cardinal, Robert Provost, was elected pope Thursday and had taken the sanction Leo XIV.

“Who successful our beingness would person thought that we would spot a North American Holy Father?” said Father Thomas Montanaro, an American clergyman with the Legionaries of Christ.

Montanaro was among the galore tens of thousands of radical who filled St. Peter’s Square for the historical moment.

Cheers of “viva il papa” and applause rippled crossed the assemblage to observe the caller pope.

Father Darius Lawrence, a clergyman from California, said the announcement caught him wholly disconnected guard.

“As an American, it’s a immense surprise,” helium said. “I would person ne'er expected an American to beryllium named arsenic pope. He wasn’t connected immoderate of the lists I’d seen — and I’d been looking into it a small bit.”

The flags of galore nations waved. But tellingly determination were hardly immoderate American flags. An Associated Press newsman successful the quadrate saw lone one, held by an Italian.

The Americans had not travel prepared.

They besides did not perceive Leo talk to them successful their autochthonal tongue. He utilized Italian to greet the crowds earlier turning to Spanish, utilizing a connection helium utilized during years of missionary enactment successful Peru, wherever helium besides obtained citizenship.

Past popes person shaped the larger satellite beyond the Catholic Church, and it was not mislaid connected immoderate that Leo mightiness too.

”I’m conscionable hoping that the caller pope tin assistance steer america successful a bully absorption and successful presumption of politics, you know, close present it’s precise complicated,” said Andrea Gallardo, a Texan. “I’m conscionable hoping that he’s capable to rekindle a bully narration with our president and each the authorities officials truthful that we tin commencement going into a bully route, I would say.”

In Washington, President Donald Trump said it was an grant for an American to beryllium chosen.

“What greater grant tin determination be?” Trump said. “We’re a small spot amazed and we’re happy."

The predetermination of Provost resonated arsenic good with Thomas NicolinChicli, 22, a Peruvian from Lima, who is studying economics successful Rome.

“I was astatine home, but arsenic soon arsenic the fume went up, I enactment connected my apparel and I came to the Vatican .. arsenic soon arsenic I heard his name, I came here," helium said.

“I’m truly blessed astir this. I cognize he’s American, but helium was successful Peru for a agelong time, 20 years. He worked successful the portion of Chiclayo. That’s a beauteous area, but 1 of the regions that needs tons of hope. So present I’m expecting that the caller pope helps arsenic galore radical arsenic possible, and tries to reignite, let’s say, the religion young radical person lost.”

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