(Indianapolis, IN) – When Archbishop Charles Thompson heard the news that an American had been elected as the new pope Thursday, he was taken aback. Thompson talked to reporters Thursday about the implications of Robert Prevost, soon to be Leo XIV. becoming the new earthly leader of the Catholic Church.
“The rule of thumb was always, because America was such a world power, that we probably wouldn’t see an American Pope,” he said. But, Thompson said the election of the 69-year old cardinal from Chicago had more to do with his faith and less to do with geography.
“He’s a very Christ-centered, which is first and foremost what we would expect of any pope, is to be very Christ-centered, to be a person of prayer, a person of hope, a person of firm belief.”
Thompson described Prevost as a bridge builder, saying he believes the selection of the name Leo XIV is indicative of his moral beliefs about helping those less fortunate. He said Pope Leo XIII lived in the early 1900s, at the beginnings of industrialization.
“Pope Leo XIII was concerned at his time about the rights of workers and working conditions and the right of unionizing and making sure people were treated fairly,” he said.
While no pope has ever come from America, Thompson said the election of Prevost is likely not an indication of any agenda on the part of the electorate.
“The cardinals got together and identified, what are the needs. What do we need to be focusing on and then who had those gifts?”
Still, he acknowledged that Americans can take some pride, and likely will, in the choice.
“He has served time, born and raised in Chicago, has served time in the United States. So, I think people take great pride in that. But, I think people in Peru (his country of residence) take pride in that, as well.”
(Story by Network Indiana)
