The Peruvian Catholics in Long Beach thought that Robert Francis Pre-Pope would become Pope a long shot.
“It’s not a million years,” said Cynthia Carreiro, a Peruvian-American Catholic who co-owns Alikafiy in Long Beach’s Bixby Nolls neighborhood. “I had a top 10 list. I didn’t have him as part of it. I didn’t even know his background until I started watching.”
Carreiro is watching Conclaves in Peru with others who were surprised by the news of an American-born Catholic who was chosen to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
“My body had chills just to find out there was a Peruvian American Pope here, which is so amazing,” Carreiro said.
“I wish Pope Leo XIV the strength to step into his role as a Catholic and Peruvian American, as he stepped into his role as a global and spiritual leader,” writes former mayor of Long Beach and current councillor Robert Garcia. “He demonstrated that he believes in the justice of the poor and immigrants, as if his leadership reflects these ideals when he spreads peace across the world.”
Parishists at St. Peters in Hawaiian Gardens celebrated the noon mass just an hour after the news of the American pope broke.
“I don’t think that’s what happened, right? I think this is the first time,” said Cynthia Urchides, a parishioner of St. Peter.
“We are very excited,” said Brother Christopher Puglia of St. Peter’s Church. “(We) pray for our new Holy Father who guides us.”
Prevost was born in Chicago to an Italian and French US Navy veteran and a mother of Spanish roots. He spent a third of our lives within us
From Chicago, he first went to Chiclayo as a missionary in northern Peru in 1984, eventually becoming an archbishop, departing for Italy to serve the Vatican for the past 20 years.
“This new Pope is not worthy of America, it’s something that is necessary,” said John Simon, a parishioner of St. Peter, who hopes the new Pope will bring more Catholics back to the church.
“He’s God’s new beacon,” Carreiro said.
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