The Catholic church has elected a new pope, Robert Prevost. He is also the first American to be elevated to the position of pope. Prevost has selected the name Leo XIV as his new papal title.

Local parishioners have expressed joy and excitement over the first American pope.

Karen Gamble said she was “tickled pink” about the new pope. Joann Franco echoed the sentiment and added that she was glad to hear the new Pope mention the Mother Mary in his first address. Both women said they never thought they’d see the day when an American was elected as pope.

Father Rusty Vincent, of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, said the news was a bit of a shock.

“It is exciting and surprising for an American to be elected pope in Leo XIV,” Vincent said. “I never thought in my life that would occur. Taking the name Leo would indicate following in the footsteps of the previous Leo XIII, who was known as the social justice pope due to his monumental encyclical Rerum Novarum.  It is an exciting day and time for the Catholic Church.”

The encyclical Rerum Novarum was issued as an open letter addressing the plight of the working class in 1891.

Dawn Meeks, principal at St. Aloysius High School – part of Vicksburg Catholic School – said theology classes at the school have incorporated lessons about how a new pope is chosen and students have done research on popes throughout the ages.

“When to our surprise, the white smoke appeared yesterday, we immediately turned on our classroom televisions so that the historic event could be witnessed by our students,” she said Friday. “Many were gathered in the foyer at the moment Pope Leo XIV emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and I could hear students down the hall in classrooms cheering. It was a fantastic moment, and we were so glad our students were able to witness history in the making.”

Meeks went on to say theology classes immediately started researching Cardinal Robert Prevost to learn about his background and the students at the school thought that it was “cool” to witness the first day of the first American pope in history. She added that the school ends each day with prayer and gave thanksgiving in their prayer for Pope Leo XIV.

Born Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, he is 69 years old and is the 267th head of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV, clad in traditional papal vestments, greeted the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after being declared the new pope. Many in the crowd held American flags. In his first words as pope, he said, “Peace be with you.”