Chattanooga Catholics excited for first elected American Pope
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- On Thursday, white smoke came out of the papal enclave at the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world a new pope had been elected.
With over a billion Catholics worldwide learning who the new leader of their church is, those right here in Chattanooga say they are ready for the new era.
On Friday, the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in downtown Chattanooga held its first mass since the election of Pope Leo XIV.
He is the 267th different Pope to be elected.
We spoke with a few parishioners who say are excited to see how he leads their church, and recalled when they heard about his election.
Gabrielle Cipriano, a lifelong Catholic, recalled, “I was here in mass yesterday and heard the bells going off around downtown Chattanooga and without seeing the white smoke I knew it was a sign that we have a new Pope.”
The moment the first ever American Pope was elected was celebrated by local parishes.
Rev. Michael Hendershott who gave the homily during Friday’s mass, said, “So Pope Leo, the season is before you. The Lord is able to see for him as well, in his own passion.”
Antoni Cglav says he converted to Catholicism a year ago, and is interested to see
He said, “I’m really excited but I do expect there to be a lot more scrutiny on the American bishops and clergy than even on American politicians just due to this being a new shift completely.”
Cglav wants the new pope to prioritize traditional Latin mass, which has been around for thousands of years, over the more Novus Ordo mass introduced in 1969.
He said, “Rather than it being mostly in the common vernacular or language that the people speak, it is in Latin, because that was the language of the Roman Empire. In my opinion, it is much more of a reverent kind of mass.”
Cipriano says she wants this to be unifying for the Church.
“One thing I was really excited to see yesterday with Pope Leo and the impact is that he will continue to unify the Catholic Church. I think all of the images we saw coming out of the Vatican yesterday and his opening message of peace is really just a beautiful sign of unification for our universal church,” she said.
Both say it’s important for them to be supportive and pray for Pope Leo.
Cglav said, “Everyone I have spoken with says they are excited about him.”
Cipriano added, “When we think of leadership, that doesn’t mean he is someone to be evaluated and to be put on a throne of any kind, it’s really that he’s meant to, when you think of Jesus washing the feet of people at Easter, the Pope especially is meant to be with the people, serve the people, and bear their burdens that no one else really does.”
The Diocese of Knoxville says they are encouraging all parishes to hold special prayers for Pope Leo throughout the weekend.
“We are filled with immense gratitude to the Holy Spirit for guiding the College of Cardinals in selecting Pope Leo XIV to lead our Catholic Church,” said Bishop Mark Beckman of the Knoxville Diocese. “The faithful of East Tennessee join in prayer and thanksgiving for our new Holy Father. Pope Leo XIV bring tremendous gifts to the Chair of St. Peter, and we look forward to his leadership as we continue to proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in East Tennessee and throughout the world.”
