Utah Catholics couldn’t hold back their excitement at news that, for the first time, the global faith of 1.4 billion will be helmed by an American in Pope Leo XIV.
In emails peppered with exclamation points, they described the 69-year-old Chicago native, known until this morning as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, as someone likely to continue predecessor Pope Francis’ legacy of concern for the downtrodden — and a cool salve on divisiveness found throughout the world.
Catholics make up Utah’s second largest faith, with about 300,000 members. They are led by the Rev. Oscar A. Solis, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City and a native of the Philippines.
Speaking in a news conference Thursday, Solis said he was “thrilled” by the selection, describing the new pontiff as “a man of prayer” and someone he, too, expected to “carry on the work of Pope Francis, to have that special affinity and closeness with the poor and marginalized…especially immigrants, refugees and the unborn.”
Solis added: “When we love, we don’t ask for an ID. We see beyond race, culture and the status of life.”
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Bishop Oscar Solis prepares to speak on the election of Pope Leo XIV at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
The fact that the new leader hails from the United States was not his defining feature, the Filipino priest argued, explaining that when a pope assumes the office, there is an “emptying of himself” to represent all of God‘s people.
The bishop asked everyone to pray for Pope Leo XIV as “he leads faithfully and guides the church into this new age of technological acceleration with the mind of Christ.”
The diocese‘s vicar general, Father John Evans, was less guarded about the new pontiff’s U.S. heritage.
“It’s a shocker,” he acknowledged. “Unbelievable, an American-born pope. Just unbelievable.”
Evans looks forward to Pope Leo‘s first visit to the United States, he said, adding that he wonders “where will it be and when it will happen.”
Later on Thursday, the governing First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Utah’s largest faith, issued a news release extending “heartfelt prayers and greetings” to the new pope.
“This significant moment in time for the Catholic Church is a reminder of the enduring importance of faith to people everywhere,” church President Russell M. Nelson and his two counselors wrote, stressing the shared emphasis and mission of the two religions.
“As fellow followers of Jesus Christ, we look forward to continued opportunities to work together to bless the lives of God’s children everywhere,” the release continued. “May we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ to care for the poor and needy, become peacemakers, and create a world where faith and goodness can flourish.”
The following are reactions from Utah Catholics:
“I never ever imagined that I would see an American pope in my lifetime. I’m still recovering from the shock. I expect that taking the name Leo gives us some indication that he will seek unity, a deeper awareness of the social teachings of the church, dialogue with the secular world, and a renewed care for the theological and legal patrimony of the church.”
— The Rev. Gabriel Thomas Mosher, pastor of Salt Lake City’s St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Newman Center.
• “It is a historic day, having an American elected pope! He is well traveled and has a great deal of experience in other countries, which offers great experience and perspective. Based on what I know, he is a moderate who hopefully helps extinguish the divisiveness of our world and society!”
— Clay Jones, principal of St. Joseph Catholic High School in Ogden.
• "What I personally reflected on is our faith and the church transcending nationality and origin of birth. I felt the word Catholic, meaning ‘universal.’”
— John Shackelford, South Jordan resident who was present at St. Peter’s Square at the time of the announcement.
• “I hear nothing but good things about him. Pope Francis trusted him, and that means a lot to me. Furthermore, I like the fact that I do not know of any labels that he has, whether conservative or liberal. What I know of him is that he is a man of peace and that he promotes the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
— The Rev. John Wester, archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and previous bishop of the Salt Lake City diocese.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Archbishop of Santa Fe John Wester, former bishop of Salt Lake City, is greeted by parishioners outside the cathedral in New Mexico in 2015.
• “The election of the first American-born pope marks a historic and monumental time for the Catholic Church. I am optimistic that Pope Leo XIV will build on the legacy and works of Pope Francis and continue to teach love, acceptance, and social justice.”
— Abby Dizon-Maughan, Salt Lake City-based attorney.
• “It is extremely exciting to have the first United States-born pope. It shows how important the American viewpoint is to help lead the Roman Catholic Church for the entire world. I think it also really demonstrates the church’s continued commitment to helping the migrants and the world‘s underserved. I believe he will be a great successor to Francis.”
— Stephen Hemmersmeier, operations specialist at Jerry Seiner Dealerships.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Bishop Oscar Solis listens to the blessing of Pope Leo XIV, streamed from his phone, at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
“Watching the livestream and seeing so many people from all around the world come together showed the spirit of the church. That spirit — which Pope Francis always encouraged with his call to ‘hacer lío’ (make a good mess) — was evident once again during Pope Leo XIV’s first appearance. …You could see how humble and grateful he is. He took the time to thank Pope Francis and his community back in Peru, where he served for many years, and reminded us of God‘s unconditional love and the importance of keeping Mary present in our lives. I loved when he started talking in Spanish.”
— Fernanda Romero, student at Brigham Young University.
“Pope Leo XIV will be a beacon of hope and unity, addressing the internal matters of the church with wisdom and justice, fostering dialogue and reconciliation. As he takes on this immense responsibility, may he also be a prophetic voice on the global stage, addressing the complex issues facing our world: poverty, injustice and conflict.”
— Lynde Hoopes, administrative assistant at University of Utah Athletics.
(Alessandra Tarantino | AP) Cardinal Robert Prevost appears on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
“Already, I have received many messages of excitement and joy, especially in Pope Leo’s message of peace, dialogue and Jesus’ love of all people. Over a century ago, the last Pope Leo (XIII) was Vicar of Christ at the time of the founding of St. Mary of the Assumption in Park City, in 1881. Pope Leo XIII created the Diocese of Salt Lake City in 1891. All Catholics in Utah rejoice in how Pope Leo XIV will continue to shape the Catholic Church in Utah in the years ahead.”
— The Rev. Christopher Gray, pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption in Park City.
“As a young Catholic, I see Pope Leo XIV as a middle ground amid the growing division in the world. I pray that the Holy Spirit guides him in leading Christ’s church, and that he may have a long and holy pontificate.”
— Gabriel de Almeida Maia, University of Utah student.
