Bishop Urges Pope Leo XIV to Unite the World Through Unity

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Emotions spilled over across the region on Thursday following the election of Pope Leo XIV, marking the appointment of the first American pontiff.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, who hails from Chicago, dedicated much of his clerical work in Latin America.

Bishop Mark Brennan, from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, suggested that his work in that region might have persuaded certain cardinals to choose him.

He glanced at the man, and they swiftly picked someone they deemed suitable," Brennan stated. "Being an American is good, sure, but what matters is that we now have a pope. It doesn’t really matter where he comes from. I believe most Catholics are simply glad to have a pope once more.

Brennan thinks Prevost has the capability to interact well with individuals of different religious backgrounds.

He mentioned that he probably developed a deep sense of service during his time in Peru, where he assisted people who had been affected by terrorist attacks and civil conflicts.

I believe that having an experience serving individuals in such a manner adds a valuable aspect to his papal ministry.

Moving forward as the Bishop of Rome and serving the universal church, Brennan said he would like to see the pope continue to create unity for all.

"To be the touchstone of unity in faith and love for all the Catholic people in the world, and that is the essential ministry,” he said. “I'm sure he will dedicate himself to that, building unity, strengthening our ties, as brothers and sisters in Christ."