CHICAGO (WLS) — Pope Leo XIV is just beginning his first full day as pontiff.
He led Mass at the Sistine Chapel and speaking before the cardinals who appointed him.
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The pope makes history as the first American and he is from Chicago.
Pope Leo XIV gave his first homily beginning in English, another moment marking the significance for American Catholics.
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The Vatican announced he will be formally installed as pope at a special Mass on May 18.
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Father Stan Chu Ilo is an associate professor at DePaul University and a noted scholar, serving as a priest and a prominent global voice on Catholic perspectives and cultural insights.
Footage captures intimate moments that unfolded privately, showcasing the pope unexpectedly appearing inside the Vatican Palace, where he resided until Thursday night.
He greeted the faithful, took photos with people, gave smiles and shook hands and gave everyone a blessing.
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Father Jack Wall, the pastor emeritus at Old St. Pat’s, was present in St. Peter’s Square during the events on Thursday, sharing his thoughts on its significance for Catholics in Chicago.
“Just an amazing gift to experience someone who came from one of our neighborhoods, I actually grew up in the same communities he did and went to the same grammar school, and to see somebody coming from our toots and raised by his family and good families that come out of our Church experience, it’s just amazing,” Fr. Wall said. “One of us. There’s a great line in scripture, ‘What good can ever come out of Nazareth?’ It has that same feeling from Dolton, Illinois. This man has come forward and all of his gifts and talent will now be given to the world…I get very emotional even thinking about it.”
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Wall said that is what he was feeling when seeing an American pope on the balcony.
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