The archdiocese welcomes another Chicago native, this time as pope

In less than 24 hours, Catholics of the Archdiocese of Omaha embraced a new archbishop and a new pope, both of whom happen to be natives of Chicago fond of quoting St. Augustine of Hippo.

“I am a son of Saint Augustine, (an) Augustinian, who said: ‘With you I am a Christian and for you a bishop.’ In this sense, we can all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us,” the new Pope Leo XIV – a former prior general of the Order of St. Augustine – said May 8 from the balcony at St. Peter’s Square.

The day before, in his Installation Mass homily, Archbishop Michael G. McGovern quoted those same words of St. Augustine to the nearly 1,000 people gathered in St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha: “With you, I am a Christian. For you, I am a bishop.”

“I think those words of St. Augustine sum up in many ways my sentiments as I begin this journey together here in the Archdiocese of Omaha,” the archbishop said.

Archbishop McGovern and the congregation also prayed that the Holy Spirit would guide the conclave, which a day later elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new leader of the Catholic Church.

St. Augustine gave more context to the words both men had quoted: “I must distinguish carefully between two aspects of the role the Lord has given me … a role based on the Lord’s greatness rather than my own merit. The first aspect is that I am a Christian, the second that I am a leader. I am a Christian for my own sake, whereas I am a leader for your sake… for your advantage.”

As Church leaders, the new pope and the new archbishop might know something about what the saint experienced, humbly accepting their roles.

“I look forward to strengthening the bonds of the Church in Omaha with the Universal Church as Pope Leo takes up the Petrine ministry,” Archbishop McGovern said in a statement on the election of the new Holy Father. His statement also noted the pope’s universal experience, which included being a missionary and archbishop in Peru and, in Rome, prior general of his religious order and prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis.

Of course, the archbishop also mentioned their Chicago connection. “As a native of Chicago, I am moved by the fact our new Holy Father has Chicago roots.”

Speaking to reporters about the historic election Thursday evening, Archbishop McGovern said Pope Leo’s Chicago upbringing give him an understanding of the lives and experiences of the American Midwest.

“To think that he would familiar with places that Chicagoans are familiar with, both in the city and the suburbs, the fact that he still has family there, the fact that he would come back periodically to visit, that his roots are there, it just gives you a sense of pride and confidence,” Archbishop McGovern said.

A special Mass of Thanksgiving will be offered for the new pope, with details to be announced in the coming days.

“In the meantime,” the new archbishop said, “I invite everyone to pray together for our Holy Father and for the Church.”

Catholics throughout the archdiocese, still eager to get to know their new archbishop, received the additionally exciting news of a new pope on the morning of May 8. Shortly after 6 p.m. in Rome or about 11 a.m. CDT, white smoke was seen from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the news. In parishes, schools and elsewhere across northeast Nebraska, people watched and waited together for the announcement and introduction of the new pope.

Students at the St. John Paul II Newman Center in Omaha watch news coverage of the new pope. Joining them is Archbishop Emeritus George J. Lucas, who lives at the Newman Center. SUSAN GNANN

Pope Leo didn’t disappoint, making history as the first North American pope.

His election, as well as the announcement of the new pope, was steeped in Church tradition. From the balcony at St. Peter’s Square, the College of Cardinals protodeacon announced: “I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope!”

The crowd below, and Catholics around the world, cheered with joy.

Pope Leo greeted them, saying, “Peace be with all of you!”

White smoke billows from the chimney of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel May 8, 2025, indicating a new pope has been elected. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

People react as white smoke billows from the chimney of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel May 8, 2025, indicating a new pope has been elected. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

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