Excitement and surprise — Both emotions were expressed by many after Thursday’s announcement of the new pope. Now that the smoke has settled, a priest at St. Peter Cathedral said the selection feels like a natural progression.
“I think that what was begun by Pope Francis, which was making the church less an institution and more about an encounter with Christ, and Pope Leo certainly seems like he is willing to continue in that trend,” said Father Joe Petrone, sacramental assistant at St. Peter Cathedral.
Just 24 hours after the announcement of the new pope, Father Petrone acknowledged to his parishioners at the cathedral that they’re like nervous about the new leadership, but he encouraged them to focus on their faith…