Pope Leo XIV, or Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected at the Vatican after only two days and four rounds of voting at the Papal Conclave.
The Pope is spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and Sovereign head of Vatican City.
Bishop Joseph Siegel overees the Evansville Diocese which covers 12 counties in Southwest Indiana. He said they’ll immediately add the new pope to their daily mass.
Siegel said each Pope has different areas of focus and different ways they can influence even a local diocese.
“Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, had certain areas very important to him, whether it was the environment or things like that, or kind of in general, but every Pope will have his own kind of focus. And again, it can be very general, or it can be very specific on how it's implemented in each diocese.”
Prior to his elevation to Pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost had openly disagreed with policies of President Trump in cases related to immigration. He even called out Vice President JD Vance on Social media.
Siegel said the Pope’s job is to lead the church, but said he also has a moral authority in the world. He hopes Leo XIV will bring a deeper love of Christ, a deeper commitment, to a missionary work.
Leo XIV was born in Chicago Illinois, but spent much of his service in Peru.
Siegel calls the election of an American Pope “unprecedented, obviously exciting and totally unforeseen.”
“It is a special joy that he is the first Pope from North America, born and raised in the Midwest,” he said in a statement. “In the days to come, we will learn more about our Supreme Pontiff and his vision for leading the Church in the coming years.”
Siegel says he actually met Cardinal Robert Prevost 10 years ago at a missionary fundraising gala in Illinois.
“I had an opportunity to sit next to him at a table and have a conversation with him, and just deeply impressed as a very kind, loving man, very devoted to his people in Peru, and certainly we have a great missionary heart.”
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