American Catholics react to Pope Leo XIV

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Father Gerry Waterman said his Syracuse University congregation erupted when they learned Pope Leo XIV would be leading the church.

“First of all, first American pope,” Waterman said. “That speaks volumes to us here in the U.S. of A.”

Catholic University canon law professor Kurt Martens said there has always been an unwritten rule that the pope should not be American, with the power already held by the U.S. president.

“That would be very uncomfortable because then the two powerful men in the world, civilly speaking, worldly speaking and religiously speaking would be of the same nationality.”

Father Martens said Pope Leo has political knowledge of the institution, but he is excited to see how the new pontif’s missionary background impacts the future.

“It’s a tough job to be a missionary,” Martens said. “And he’s gunna roll up his sleeves and pick up his boot straps and he’s going to work. I know that.”

Martens believes if pope Leo continues to set an example by working on the ground, Americans will take notice.

“If we have an American holy father, who demonstrates that, I think the following here in the U.S. of A will be big.”

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