(The Center Square) – As worshippers in Illinois praise God and take pride in the new Catholic pope’s local connections, a Chicago-based bishop is reminding the faithful that the Holy Father is about much more than his native community.
Cardinal Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV after he was elected by his fellow cardinals Thursday. The new pope was born at Mercy Hospital in Chicago and grew up in south suburban Dolton.
Auxiliary Bishop Larry Sullivan of the Archdiocese of Chicago addressed worshippers at Holy Name Cathedral on Friday morning.
“Let us pray for Pope Leo XIV, that his life may be an example of God’s love and service in the world, and let us ask God to help us bring that love to all those that we meet,” Sullivan said.
After Mass, Sullivan told reporters he thinks any candidate elected would have brought a sense of unity.
“The fact that he comes from the Chicagoland area, that he grew up in Dolton, I think makes that connection a little bit easier,” Sullivan said.
The new pope’s brother, John Prevost, lives in New Lenox. John Prevost and others have said the former Cardinal Robert Prevost is a White Sox fan.
“The fact that we can feel so connected to him, a love of Chicago sports and different things, helps us feel closer to him, but his impact is because he’s a child of God. It doesn’t matter where he’s from,” Sullivan added.
Sullivan told reporters after Mass that the pope is a child of God first.
“He obviously grew up here in the United States, he grew up in Chicago, he served in Peru. He brings a worldwide perspective, and we never want to lose sight of that,” Sullivan explained.
In addition to serving in Peru, Prevost spent time leading the Augustinian order in Chicago and worldwide.
Bishop Sullivan was asked if he knew Leo XIV.
“So I am fortunate to know many of the Augustinians very well. I’m sure that I’ve met him, but I didn’t know him. The Augustinians have been singing his praises for a long time,” Sullivan said.
Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield offered a statement on Facebook after the new pope was elected on Thursday.
“With profound joy and deep gratitude to God, the universal Catholic Church celebrates the election of Pope Leo XIV, our new Holy Father!” Paprocki posted.
“While I do not know him as he ministered mainly outside America, as a fellow Chicagoan, his appointment brings an extra joy to me.” Paprocki added.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass as pope in the Sistine Chapel Friday morning. The new pontiff’s immediate predecessor was Pope Francis, who died last month.
The pope serves as Bishop of Rome and is viewed as the successor of St. Peter as leader of the Catholic church throughout the world.
Brett Rowland contributed to this story.
