Chicago – After the white smoke accumulated on Thursday from the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a Pope had been chosen, the students in each classroom of the French school Xavier Warde in Chicago had their eyes glued to the television screens.
As the image of the new Pope, Chicago Robert Prevost Cardinal PremostThey appeared on the screen, the cheers exploded through the halls. The children jumped from their seats, pumping their hands in the air.
“Our students are out of them,” said Mary Perotti, director of School’s progress. “They are more than excited and cannot believe that a Chicago is their new Pope. They were amazed.”
Prevost, 69, He took the name Leo XIV and replaced Pope Francis, who died last month. The first American pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, was born and grew up in Chicago before undertaking his ministry in Peru. The inhabitants of Chicago Catholics gathered in Iglesias and celebrated their homes as the historical decision was announced.
“Our young people have a leader model with a leader with justice and compassion in the heart of his ministries – And who is your home, “said Perrotti.” It is such a deep connection for them. “
Prevost was born in 1955 in the neighborhood of Bronzeville in Chicago South Side Chicago and grew up in the suburbs of Dolton, where he attended primary school and in primary school in St. Mary of the Asunción.
He later studied theology at the Chicago Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park and taught local Catholic schools, even in St. Rita High School, According to school.
“We are delighted that someone who is loved and known for us is now the beloved leader of the entire Church,” said Barbara Reid, a Dominican sister and president of the Catholic Theological Union.
John Doughney, a graduate partner from St. Mary’s elementary school in 1969, remembers Prevost as a “friend for everyone” and a “kind, affectionate and compassionate young man.”
“Even when I was 12 and 13, it was evident to all of us who knew what his vocation was,” he said. “We would have surprised us all if he didn’t enter the priesthood. We are very proud of him.”
Linda Eickmann, 62, was also born and grew up in Dalton and attended St. Mary’s. When he saw the news of the new Pope on television, he shouted for joy.
“How great is that?” She said. “A Pope of my primary school, from my city. It is unreal.”
Eickmann recalled that Premost’s family was so deeply involved in the community of St. Mary’s that everyone knew their names. They led Joe’s careless sales to raise money for school, and all their children were altars, including Prevost.
Raymundo, co -founder of a defense group of the local community called The Resurrection Project, said that Thursday was a proud day for the Chinago and expected Social Justice and Compassionespecially in the welcome to immigrants. “
“There are tears of joy, hope, motivation to rise to this moment and leave this world better than we found,” said Raymundo, an immigrant from Mexico who grew up in the neighborhood of Pilsen in Chicago.
In the Cathedral of Holy Name, about two dozen people gathered to pray as a filtered light through the stained glass.
Kneed in a bank, Laurel Legle said he is not Catholic or even Christian, but he felt that he had to be there after the elections of the new American Pope was announced. She called him a “deep moment.”
Zoë Poehlman, a nurse who moved from Kansas City to Chicago a few months ago, described mood as exciting and expects celebrations throughout the city. “It was so crazy,” he said.
Father Gregory Sakowicz, the rector of the cathedral, said that when the new Pope was announced, the Sun came out, a coincidence that described as “the way to remain in the anonymity of God.” He said he was “happily surprised” and that he had a burning question: if the new Pope was a fan of the white socks?
When a crowd journalist said he had heard Pope Leo XIV is a fan of puppies, Sakowicz laughed between teeth. “God bless you,” he said. It turns out that he is a SOX fan.
In social networks, people exchanged memes about Chicago’s basic products: deep -style pizza, the Licor of Chicago Malört and baseball, which reflects the civic pride of Chicago residents as they claimed the Pope as one of his own.
Google’s search trafficking for “Da Pope” shot, and a local shirt company announced that you would sell “Da Pope” shirts with a blue bears and oranges theme design. The Chicago overlap the introduction music of Chicago Bulls to the video of the Pope who leaves the Vatican.
Some joked about replacing communion wafers and wine with Tavern and Malört style pizza. And the fast chain of Chicago Portillo Jesus on the sending of its Italian flesh to the city of the Vatican.
Many users also proclaimed the hope that the new Pope represents the history of social justice of Chicago.
“For the inhabitants of Chicago Católicos, having a native son who was born and raised in a city where everyone’s support and care have always been central to what we are like a city, really speaks a lot,” said Perrotti.
“I really believe that his education in Chicago informs his ministries, his compassion and sense of justice. Now, he can give the world a feeling of who we are as a city.”
