Decatur residents share their thoughts on the new Pope

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND)- On Thursday, May 8th, Cardinal Robert Prevost was selected as the new pope. He is the first pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

According to Father Chris Comerford, the pastor of Saint James and Patrick Parish, he was watching the live video when the smoke appeared, indicating the selection of the new pope. He was surprised to learn that not only was the new pope American, but he also hailed from the Chicagoland area.

"It was totally shocking that way but just totally excited. and I feel that it's going to be a great blessing for the church," said Comerford.

Comerford wasn't the only one watching for the smoke. Larry Daly, the principal of St. Teresa's High School, mentioned that all the teachers were gathered around to watch the video when they learned about the new Pope. He said they were all extremely excited to receive the news and even cheered together through an email chain.

"It makes me proud to be within that community because the Catholic Church is a community of faith. And it's a very welcoming community. And I think with this new Pope, what I would hope is for our students to learn from that, and explore our faith a little more," said Daly.

Prevost assumed the title of Leo XIV. His first words to the community were, "Peace be with you," a phrase that every Catholic holds dear to their heart.

"It means we all need to come together, peace be with you," said Daly. "With all the things going on in the world, the wars that are going on, I think it's a good time to have a Pope that can really bring people together."

"That's such a great greeting that's used by a bishop at the time, and even as a priest we say 'Lord be with you.' But so that closeness of saying peace, in that case, in our world, is so needed and there's so many things that happen that have caused struggles and challenges and worry. And then to come back to wish peace for everyone is something we all desire to have in our hearts," said Comerford.