The congregation gathered at Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral once more as a significant day unfolded for the global Catholic Church.
“Earlier this morning in Rome, Pope Leo XIV was officially installed as the 267th successor to St. Peter,” announced Fr. Andy Matijevic at Holy Name Cathedral.
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Matijevic conducted the initial Mass on Sunday at 7 a.m., where attendees united in prayer for the first American pope, originally named Robert Francis Prevost, who hails from the South Side of the city.
The early morning service at Holy Name came shortly after Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass at the Vatican.
“I think there is a newfound joy. If a Chicago person can ascend to this high office, what can I do with my life? And it’s also a re-found, renewal of faith,” Matijevic said.
“As part of a pilgrimage to a Catholic Church, we’re one big community,” said Keith McLellan, who is visiting Chicago from Texas.
McLellan traveled all the way from San Antonio to spend time and worship at Holy Name this weekend in light of Pope Leo XIV’s Chicago roots.
The inauguration Mass was attended by tens of thousands, from dignitaries to the devout.
“I think it’s a call to action to continue to love our neighbor. Our world needs that right now. That’s what it means to me,” McLellan said.
Chicago’s Derek Singson recounted the surreal moments when he found out the thrilling news that the new pope is a Chicagoan, just like him.
“It just blew our minds, and I was super excited, because I was like ‘Oh, I live in Chicago. This is wild,'” Singson said.
It is that hometown pride and jubilation that is still sinking in for Catholics across Chicago.
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