LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Cardinal Robert Prevost, now often known as Pope Leo XIV, turned the first-ever American pope, prompting response from Las Vegas Catholic congregations Thursday.
“I don’t know what to say, I’m so happy,” stated Jesusa Arias, who was in the course of 9 a.m. Mass when the bishop introduced that white smoke had emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signifying {that a} new pope had been chosen.
“I’m happy that he’s American,” stated Miriam Guzman, initially from Mexico and a Las Vegas valley resident for over twenty years. “I think that is going to build bridges to Latin America because he was there and he speaks Spanish.”
Guzman stated she went to Mass after listening to the announcement.
“We’ve been praying to have someone who can guide us,” stated Guzman.
George Leo Thomas, Archbishop George Leo Thomas of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas, stated Pope Leo would put a “much friendlier face on America.”
“Especially across Europe,” Thomas said. “Especially some of the lands that have been affected by the tariffs. I think this Holy Father is going to bring people around a table for dialogue.”
Thomas described the brand new pope as a “centrist,” including that he didn’t anticipate the Catholic Church to shift politically to the correct or the left beneath his management.
