There was a celebratory mood at St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland: yellow-and-white bunting hung from the front doors, the church choir was in full voice, and nearly every pew was full of people.
The Archdiocese of Portland held a Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday in honor of Pope Leo XIV, who was elected head of the Roman Catholic Church last week and is the first American pope.
Hundreds gather at St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Ore., on May 11, 2025 to celebrate the election of a new pope, Leo XIV.
Joni Land / OPB
Archbishop of Portland Alexander Sample told the audience that he had not expected the College of Cardinals to select an American. Many observers within and outside the church were also surprised by his election.
“There’s the Holy Spirit proving me wrong again,” Sample said with a grin.
Pope Leo XIV, previously known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, is the first American pope and is also a naturalized citizen of Peru, having served there as a missionary and later a bishop. He most recently served as prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops in the Vatican.
Related: Portland faith leaders celebrate selection of first American pope
Sample told reporters after the mass that Leo’s background could bring a new perspective to the papacy.
“To have a pope that really understands the church in the United States, and the situation and the challenges facing the church in the United States, is a great benefit and a blessing,” Sample said.
Sample referenced the new pope throughout the mass, asking for God’s blessing. A picture of the new pope was placed near the cathedral’s sanctuary.
The outside of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish in Portland, Ore., on May 8, 2025. The yellow and white bunting signifies the election of a new pope.
Joni Land / OPB
Juan Manuel Heredia of Portland said that he was happy to see a pope with so much experience in Latin America, especially since his predecessor, Pope Francis, was from Argentina.
“A great amount of Catholics live on the American continent, so I think it’s very good that there’s representation of that sort,” Heredia said.
Heredia said he wasn’t too familiar with Pope Leo’s positions, but hoped he would use his position to address multiple worldwide issues: income inequality, poverty and the war in Gaza.
Leaving the cathedral, Karla Powell said she felt the mass “truly unifying” for all in attendance. A native of Chicago, she felt excited to see another Chicagoan elected to the papacy. She hoped that Pope Leo, being a dual citizen, could bring about a more unified church.
“Ever since I was a girl, the church has been divided on social issues,” Powell said. “I’m in my 70s now and I’m not going to go there anymore.”
