Just five days after the historic appointment of the first American pope, Haligonians are sharing mixed reactions–from hopeful to critical.
On May 8, the Vatican named Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new leader of the Catholic Church. Taking the title Pope Leo XIVthe 69-year-old Chicago-born cleric has spent most of his life outside the U.S.
In his first formal address at the Vatican, he declared his commitment to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and emphasized the need to modernize the Church.
On the streets of downtown Halifax, I spoke to residents about how they’re feeling in the wake of the announcement.
“I am not religious, but he (Pope Leo XIV) has already taken a political stance asking for a ceasefire in Ukraine and Gaza, and we support that,” said Halifax based queer rights activist Ace Martin outside of the Halifax Public Library
They added, “it is time for the church to change with changing times, acting better than the average person is not going to cut it, and I hope for the best for Leo.”
This sentiment of hope was echoed across the street by Brother Grant McLean at St. Mary’s Basilica.
“He is a young pope, and this is the year of hope.”
McLean said, “building bridges with our God, with our neighbours, especially the poor, is something that this papacy hopes to achieve.” He added that he is confident that the new pope will bring a fresh perspective to the catholic church. “We are pleased to have a new vicar of Christ,” McLean explained, while adding that he is also happy that the new pope was picked quickly.
Laura Wilson was waiting for her niece outside Sacred Heart School of Halifax. “Her (niece’s) parents are Catholic, I am not,” Wilson explained. “That does not mean to say that I do not love them, nor does it mean that I do not respect their religion. But seeing some of the memes on social media has left me with a bad taste.”
“You do not have to agree or even believe in the religion, but making fun of their beliefs is not cool,” Wilson added, referencing a meme an X a user had shared likening Host (what catholics call the body of Christ) to a Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. “I do not believe, but I am happy for those who do.”
Others, like Mateo Ennes, voiced frustration with the decision. “Am I surprised that there is another white man at the helm of the church? No! Am I disappointed in the decision? Yes!” he said.
Ennes believes representation matters, “all decisions are taking a stance,” and argued that having a white man as the head of an institution that has been under fire for perceived racism and homophobia is not a good look. “We are fighting for more representation, but how can someone lead when they have never walked in my shoes, or similar to the ones I have walked in?”
Despite his concerns, Ennes expressed a cautious hope that Pope Leo XIV could help usher the Church into a new era.
This article appears in May 1-31, 2025.
