Bismarck, N.D. – Local leaders within the Roman Catholic Church in North Dakota continue reacting to the history that was made in selecting the first pope from the United States.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, who is now known as Pope Leo the XIV, hails from Chicago.
“I’ll tell you it’s an amazing moment none of us expected,” University of Mary President Monsignor James Shea of Bismarck told The Flag’s What’s On Your Mind?
35 students from UMary were at the Vatican when the new pontiff first appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday.
“Imagine those young people standing on the doorstep of their lives witnessing history unfold in that way,” said Shea, who even joked about the connection that North Dakota has with the Pope through Interstate 94.
“This new pope grew up on I-94 which runs right through Chicago,” Shea laughed. “That’s breathtaking, surprising and astonishing that the interstate is the same one that the new pope grew driving on!”
Listen: University of Mary President Monsignor James Shea reacts to the selection of U.S. pope during ‘What’s On Your Mind?”
In years past, the running theory behind the fact that U.S. citizens are never selected as pope related to the nation’s status in the world.
Usually, Shea said there has been a consensus not to have a pope “from a huge secular power” which would create a “disproportionate amount of influence.”
While saying he was surprised by the choice, Shea noted the likely reasons why cardinals bucked against history.
Pope Leo the XIV received his religious education in the United States, but served mostly overseas with a majority of that time spent in Peru.
“His command of Spanish and his long time living outside this country came together to make him an electable candidate,” said Shea.
Overall, Shea appreciated the new pope’s first message to the faithful that had a theme of peace.
“It’s a very moving thing to be united in affection for this person who we’re just getting to know,” said Shea.
