There was no hesitation to say the prayers for the new Pope, Leo XIV.
On Thursday, dedicated New Yorkers paused their day to flock to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the momentous occasion of the first American Pope.
Some hurriedly left their offices, interrupted meetings, or hopped in cars to join fellow enthusiasts at the legendary church in Manhattan.
“I couldn’t contain my excitement in the office—it was quite a scene,” noted accountant Lauren Smith, who was at lunch when the white smoke signaled the announcement from the Vatican.
“We were all eager to find out who the new Pope would be. So, it was a must to be here,” she shared from Midtown.
The newly elected leader, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, originally from Chicago and a Villanova University alum, took on the name Pope Leo XIV.
“I had just a 10-minute break when we saw the white smoke; it was a rush out of the office,” said Jackie Johnson, 27, who works in Brooklyn.
“Having an American Pope feels significant, you know? I really hope he inspires young people to reconnect with their faith,” she added, expressing her hopes for his tenure.
“I hope he can resonate with youth and encourage them to participate more actively in the church,” she reflected, noting his visible commitment to attending Sunday services.
Meanwhile, Brian Kerwin, a wealth manager from New Jersey, was en route to a meeting when he learned the news from his girlfriend.
“I felt compelled to come and pray, just to give thanks. It’s truly a moment to celebrate at St. Patrick’s,” he said.
“As an American, it feels like he’s here to unite rather than divide. It’s a unique position, and I couldn’t be happier,” he expressed.
Ernesto Peralta, 59, was watching TV in the Bronx when he spotted the white smoke, prompting him to jump in his car.
Upon reaching St. Patrick’s, he prayed and lit a candle for the new Pope.
“May God bless him and everyone,” he remarked.
In Astoria, a local bakery began producing “Pope Leo” cookies to commemorate the event, demonstrating the excitement in the air.
Maria Notaro, the bakery owner, spoke about the significance of the white smoke, emphasizing how it signals not just a new leader but resonates with people worldwide, especially Americans.
