Americans In St. Peter's Square Were Stunned By Choice Of New Pope | rssama.com

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Americans successful St. Peter’s quadrate were stunned and joyous erstwhile they learned that an American cardinal, Robert Prevost, was elected pope Thursday and had taken nan sanction Leo XIV.

“Who successful our life would person thought that we would spot a North American Holy Father?” said Father Thomas Montanaro, an American leader pinch nan Legionaries of Christ.

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

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

Father Darius Lawrence, a leader from California, said nan announcement caught him wholly disconnected guard.

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

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

The Americans had not travel prepared.

They besides did not perceive Leo speak to them successful their autochthonal tongue. He utilized Italian to shake hands nan crowds earlier turning to Spanish, utilizing a connection he utilized during years of missionary activity successful Peru, wherever he besides obtained citizenship.

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

”I’m conscionable hoping that nan caller pope tin thief steer america successful a bully guidance and successful position of politics, you know, correct now it’s very complicated,” said Andrea Gallardo, a Texan. “I’m conscionable hoping that he’s capable to rekindle a bully narration pinch our president and each nan 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 location be?” Trump said. “We’re a small spot amazed and we’re happy.”

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

“I was astatine home, but arsenic soon arsenic nan fume went up, I put connected my apparel and I came to nan Vatican .. arsenic soon arsenic I heard his name, I came here,” he said.

“I’m really happy astir this. I cognize he’s American, but he was successful Peru for a agelong time, 20 years. He worked successful nan region of Chiclayo. That’s a beautiful area, but 1 of nan regions that needs tons of hope. So now I’m expecting that nan caller pope helps arsenic galore group arsenic possible, and tries to reignite, let’s say, nan religion young group person lost.”