DNYUZ
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Television
    • Theater
    • Gaming
    • Sports
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
DNYUZ
No Result
View All Result
Home News

New Yorkers drop everything to celebrate first-ever American pope at St. Patrick’s Cathedral: ‘I couldn’t be happier’

May 8, 2025
in News
New Yorkers drop everything to celebrate first-ever American pope at St. Patrick’s Cathedral: ‘I couldn’t be happier’
495
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

There was no Catholic guilt about ditching work to say a prayer for Pope Leo.

Faithfull New Yorkers dropped everything Thursday and rushed to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to celebrate the first American pope.

Some ran out of their offices, dropped business meetings or jumped into their cars in the middle of the day to join dozens congregated at the iconic Manhattan church.

“I was shouting in the office, everybody was looking at me,” said Lauren Smith, 25, an accountant who was eating lunch when she spotted white smoke bursting out of the Vatican’s chimney on a live stream, indicating that the conclave had ended less than two days after it kicked off.

“I was so excited to see who the new pope was going to be. We knew we had to come here,” she said from the Midtown cathedral.

Cardinal Robert Frances Prevost, who was born in Chicago and attended Villanova University, was elected to lead the Catholic Church under the new name Pope Leo XIV.

“I work 10 minutes away, so the minute we saw that white smoke was coming through the chimney at the Vatican, we ran over from the office,” said Jackie Johnson, 27, an accountant from Brooklyn.

Reaction overview.
Elected Pope celebration in front of St Pat’s Church
New Yorkers celebrated the new appointment of a pope outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral Thursday. Robert Miller

“It makes me feel more connected to the Vatican,” she said of having an American pontiff, adding she hoped that the newly elected religious figure would inspire young people to turn toward religion.

“I hope he treats the role well and I hope God watches over him and all the things that he does,” she said, noting she hopes he will continue following the progressive groundwork that Pope Francis left behind.

“I hope he brings the Catholic Church back to young people. I know that going to Mass on Sundays, not a lot of young people my age do it, so I hope he encourages more younger people to get involved with the church as well.”

The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago and graduated from Villanova University. Getty Images

Brian Kerwin, a wealth manager from New Jersey, was driving into the city to attend a meeting that he ended up ditching when his girlfriend shared the good news.

“My first reaction was to come here to pray,  give thanks. It’s God’s will that I am St. Patrick’s,” Kerwin, 69, told The Post, noting he attended Villanova at the same time as the new Holy Father was there studying mathematics, but the two never crossed paths.

Jackie Johnson outside St. Patrick's.
Jackie Johnson left work and rushed to St. Patrick’s Cathedral after hearing the news. New Yorkers elated to have American Pope: “I actually couldn’t believe it.” Georgett Roberts/NY Post
A view of Brian Kerwin's texts with his girlfriend.
Brian Kerwin ditched a meeting after his girlfriend shared the news. Georgett Roberts/NY Post

“I’m hoping, particularly as an American, that he brings people together rather than pushing people apart, that he preaches the gospel and it’s all about love, not hate,” Kerwin said. “I think it’s an American, it’s kind of a unique position to be in right now. I’m so happy, I couldn’t be happier.”

American Flag proudly on display outside St. Pat's Church.
Pope Leo is the first American pope in the church’s history. Robert Miller

Ernesto Peralta, 59, was watching TV in The Bronx and immediately got behind the wheel when he saw the white smoke on the screen.

He drove to St. Pat’s to pray and light a candle for the new pope.

“God bless not only him, but everybody,” he said.

Over in Astoria, La Guli Pastry fired up its kitchen and began baking trays of “Pope Leo” cookies to celebrate the historic occasion.

The famous pastry shop — which had been selling Pope Francis cookies since 2015 — was fielding calls from customers for the treats, which have a photo image of Pope Leo XIV printed on them, just seconds after the white smoke erupted from the chimney in Rome.

“This is an exciting time not only for Catholics but for the world to see the white smoke and know that there is a new leader of the Catholic Church, especially an American,” said bakery owner Maria Notaro.

The post New Yorkers drop everything to celebrate first-ever American pope at St. Patrick’s Cathedral: ‘I couldn’t be happier’ appeared first on New York Post.

Tags: catholicNew York City Lifepapal conclavePope Leo XIVst. patrick's cathedralVatican
Share198Tweet124Share
War of words highlights buildup to UFC 315 in Montreal where political hostilities could overflow
News

War of words highlights buildup to UFC 315 in Montreal where political hostilities could overflow

by Associated Press
May 8, 2025

MONTREAL (AP) — The verbal gloves are off when it comes to the buildup to UFC 315, with the tension ...

Read more
News

Anti-Israel mob descends on Brooklyn College in NYC as agitators brawl with police, get tased

May 8, 2025
News

Carrie Preston Dishes on That Epic ‘Elsbeth’ Season Finale

May 8, 2025
News

Capitals look more like themselves in beating the Hurricanes 3-1 in Game 2 to tie series

May 8, 2025
News

Edison electric tower damaged while being dismantled for Eaton fire investigation

May 8, 2025
In a bid for survival, businesses are labeling tariff costs on receipts to explain price hikes and retain customer trust

In a bid for survival, businesses are labeling tariff costs on receipts to explain price hikes and retain customer trust

May 8, 2025
Breitbart Business Digest: Trump’s Tax Cuts Will Not Cause a Surge in the Trade Deficit

Breitbart Business Digest: Trump’s Tax Cuts Will Not Cause a Surge in the Trade Deficit

May 8, 2025
Loewe and On Are Back With More Performance Gear

Loewe and On Are Back With More Performance Gear

May 8, 2025

Copyright © 2025.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Gaming
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Sports
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel

Copyright © 2025.