‘Papa!’ Sacramento region shares joy as world greets American Pope Leo XIV
The Rev. Francisco Bracamontes exulted at the news Thursday from outside his church in Sacramento’s Southside Park.
Cardinals at the Vatican selected a new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV. Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, is from Chicago, the first American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and Bracamontes couldn’t hide his shock.
“It’s, ‘wow,’ it’s very surprising,” said Bracamontes, parochial administrator at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on T Street between 7th and 8th, the giant mural of the Virgin Mary on the wall behind serving as a backdrop. “I’m just surprised. Papa!” he said, throwing his hands in the air.
“His heart is Mother Maria’s,” Bracamontes said, pointing to the image behind him. “With the division in the world, he’s bringing people together.”
The news of the newly-named Pope Leo came after the second day of voting. The conclave of cardinals sequestered since Tuesday in Vatican City sent out one plume, then another of black smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney while the world waited, before the stream of white smoke on Thursday that signaled the news.
In a statement, Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Sacramento said the election of the American-born pontiff “will renew the missionary spirit that should be at the heart of every disciple of the Lord Jesus.”
“In him, the church recognizes a shepherd called to serve the people of God, to defend the dignity of the poor and vulnerable, and to proclaim with conviction the merciful love of the Lord,” Soto said.
West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero said in a statement that the election of Pope Leo XIV “marks a profound milestone not only for the Catholic Church but for all who seek spiritual guidance, moral leadership, and a message of hope.”
“Pope Leo XIV steps into this sacred role at a time of global division and uncertainty,” Guerrero continued. “His deep commitment to compassion, dialogue and justice offers a path forward for bridging divides and fostering peace — both within the church and the broader human family.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also praised the new pope, calling his election a moment of global unity.
“Jennifer and I join countless others around the globe to congratulate Leo XIV on his election as the head of the Catholic Church, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church,” Newsom said in a statement. “In his first address, he reminded us that God loves each and every person. We trust that he will shepherd us through the best of the Church’s teachings: to respect human dignity, care for the poor, and wish for the common good of us all.”
“May he remind us that our better angels are not far away — they’re always within us, waiting to be heard. In a fractured world, we pray his voice becomes a bridge — between faiths, nations, and beliefs — and a force for peace rooted in our shared humanity,” Newsom said.
For many students at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Elk Grove, it was the first time seeing the selection of a new pontiff. Principal Marci Greene said it was important for her students to understand the significance of this moment in the church’s history.
“It’s been eight years since Pope Francis was elected. Our oldest students are 14. There’s the fact that he’s American, but it’s more about our students understanding what (the selection) means. For us, the kids at school were getting to see the process and to see how touched people were,” Greene said.
Greene later shared a snapshot of St. Elizabeth kindergartners seated in front of a classroom’s television screen as Pope Leo XIV addressed the world.
“He is an American pope, but we recognize his worldview,” Greene said. “He lived outside the U.S., the multiple languages he speaks. We’re comforted that he can speak to the church as a whole.”
This story was originally published May 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM.
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