PORTLAND, Ore. — Thursday, white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope had been chosen. Soon after, American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost emerged, who chose the name Pope Leo XIV.
The announcement sent waves of emotion around the globe, particularly in the U.S., where Catholics reacted with a mix of joy, disbelief and hope.
“I mean, the first American pope, it’s just hard to imagine,” said Father Michael Guimon, who also grew up in Chicago, where the new pope is from. “I hope that he will be an inspiration for all of us.”…