New Jersey reacts to the election of the first pope from the US
News 12 New Jersey was outside the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark to see what New Jerseyans had to say about the new pope.
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Catholics across New Jersey are celebrating the election of the new pope.
News 12 obtained video of the moment cathedral bells rang at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark after the announcement that the first pope in history from the United States was elected.
Born Robert Prevost, the new pope grew up in Chicago and attended Villanova University near Philadelphia.
"The new pope is American, and this guy is going to do something different. The Catholic church is going to change a lot," said Mr. Sampa, of Newark.
His holiness was cheered on from Catholics all over the world, including a visitor from Rome - Massimo Macchini.
"I think we have to give him a chance and see what's going on, but I think he will do a good job," he said.
RELATED: Robert Prevost, first pope from US in history of the Catholic Church, takes the name Leo XIV
Gov. Phil Murphy issued a statement following the Vatican’s announcement.
“Tammy and I are praying for Pope Leo XIV's enduring success as he becomes the spiritual leader for more than one billion Roman Catholics around the world — including myself. This is truly a joyous and momentous day,” the governor wrote.
Joseph Cardinal Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, also expressed his thoughts.
"On behalf of all our sisters and brothers in northern New Jersey, I join with all people everywhere in welcoming our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. May God bless him abundantly in his ministry as the successor of Saint Peter, Bishop of Rome,” Tobin wrote.
A lot of people are anticipating what a pope who was born in the United States will do and what issues or concerns he'll focus on.
Some of the pope's past social media posts give insight into his political views.
A few weeks ago, he retweeted a post questioning President Donald Trump's deportation plan.
Around the same time, he posted an article on what the gospel asks when it comes to immigration, and early in February, Pope Leo called out the vice president, tweeting, "JD Vance is wrong. Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others."
Pope Leo XIV replaces Pope Francis, who died on April 21 after serving 12 years.
