‘Surprised’ and ‘overjoyed’: Lincoln bishop and others optimistic about Pope Leo XIV

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Robert Prevost, the new leader of the Catholic Church, is receiving some high praise in Lincoln.

Bishop James Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln reacted to the news on Thursday, saying he was surprised in multiple ways.

“I was surprised that, first of all, that the Cardinals would choose an American,” said Conley.

That was shown in a video shared by the diocese of Conley’s real-time reaction to the announcement.

The bishop was also taken aback, but “overjoyed,” at how quickly the process played out.

“I think they knew that they were confident in their choice,” Conley said. “They all kind of were just filled with this joy that the Holy Spirit raised up the right guy.”

Conley said he has never met the new American pontiff but has learned a lot about him.

A brother bishop told him he has met Prevost three different times and secretly hoped he’d be the one, describing him as a good human being.

“My hope is that the new pope, Pope Leo XIV, will take some of that American enthusiasm and add it to the universal church,” Conley said.

When the white smoke billowed into the sky, it brought thousands of people to St. Peter’s Square, including the Rev. Andrew Schwenka, a native of Minden who is now serving in Rome.

Schwenka described the historic moment to Channel 8.

“Smoke starts coming out of the chimney, and someone shouted, ‘I think it’s white,’” he said. “Everyone knew we had a new pope.”

He saw the Cardinals come out and announce who it was, which he called a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Schwenka added that Prevost will lead the church in the right direction because he wants to be a bridge builder and will focus on missionary work.

“I think that’s kind of one of the things that he wants to bring to the church and to the world, is the proclamation of peace,” Schwenka said. “Hopefully, in his papacy, he can do that.”

Both Conley and Schwenka are excited for what’s to come.

“As an American, it’s exciting to have an American pope,” Schwenka said. “He’s even not just an American, but a pope from the Midwest.”

Conley said he is looking forward to talking to a pope in English for the first time.

“And I suppose the people in Chicago are going to wonder if he’s a Cubs fan or a White Sox fan,” he said.

In an interview with ABC News, Prevost’s brother said the new pope roots for the White Sox.