Golden Valley Church Praises Selection of First U.S. Pope

It’s an announcement that came as a surprise to many — the first ever American pope.

During the conclave, the cardinals chose American-born Robert Prevost, who took the name of Pope Leo XIV, to be the new leader of the Catholic Church.

At Good Shepherd Catholic School in Golden Valley, students began chanting “we have a pope,” the moment they saw white smoke emerge from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday.

It was part of a festive celebration.

“When we found out he was American, it was bananas,” said Father Ben Wittnebel of Good Shepherd. “We had an amazing time. We were going through the hallway and we were chanting ‘USA, USA’ prior to that.”

Fr. Wittnebel and the students at Good Shepherd watched the scene play out in the cafeteria as Pope Leo XIV was introduced to the world. 

He said the decision to elect a pope from the U.S. came as a shock because he never thought the conclave would choose someone associated with a world power.

Father Ben Wittnebel is pastor of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Golden Valley.

Potential impact in the United States

Now that an American is pontiff, Fr. Wittnebel said he wouldn’t be surprised if more people in the U.S. come back to the Catholic Church, provided that Pope Leo leads with integrity.

“I think, in the first year especially of a papacy, people kind of lean in, and they are trying to see what kind of person is this going to be,” said Fr. Wittnebel. “And if he can win over their hearts, I think something is going to happen in the United States and South America.”

Pope Leo’s official inauguration mass will take place on May 18 in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

Related: Brooklyn Center Catholic Church Reacts to Death of Pope Francis

Golden Valley