BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – A spirit of joy and reverence filled the Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral on Sunday, as parishioners gathered for the first time under the leadership of a new Holy Father.
The global Catholic community, including those along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, is celebrating the election of Chicago native Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. His appointment marks a historic moment as he becomes the first American to assume the papacy.
Local parishioner Michael Keesler expressed both surprise and optimism following the announcement.
“When I heard the word that they had selected a pope, and it was so soon, I was kind of taken aback. And then when I heard the name and he was from the Americas, I went ‘Wow! That’s unique,’” Keesler said. “Ultimately, we got the pope that we needed.”
Father Godfrey Andoh shared a hopeful outlook for Pope Leo XIV’s future leadership, drawing parallels with the compassionate approach of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
“I have the conviction and belief that Pope Leo XIV would also follow in the same path because we form a continuum of the same moment in history,” Andoh said. “I think it’s God’s own design to have somebody who would be a good fit for what we need here right now in our time, in our generation. It’s a joy for us no longer to feel fatherless, but also to feel the joy of having a new spiritual leader.”
Pope Leo XIV’s election is being seen not only as a milestone for the Church but also as a source of renewed hope and direction for Catholics worldwide.
