BUFFALO, N.Y. — One week ago, the idea of an American being elected pope was unfathomable, even for American priests.  

“They asked, 'Would I ever think we would have an American pope?' I said no, and then [it was the] shock of all shocks when he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's [Basilica]. Who is it but an American, a wonderful man?” said Msgr. Paul Burkard from Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica.

What You Need To Know

  • Pope Leo XIV gave his first Sunday blessing in the Vatican since being elected pope

  • He was welcomed by approximately 100,000 people in the crowd  

  • His message reflected the messages of his predecessor, Pope Francis  

  • Pope Leo XIV called for peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza and "no more war"

Some people anticipate how the new pope will compare to predecessors.  

“I moved here from Israel two years ago. And one of the things that I'm proud that I did in Israel is to actually accompany Pope John Paul II when he came to visit Israel in 2001 as one of his security guards,” said Nim Shafran. “I think it's very exciting to have an American pope, as somebody who is Jewish and Israeli. I hope that he is going to be good and close to the state of Israel and to the Jews the same way that the previous pope was.”

On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV was greeted by roughly 100,000 people as he stepped out on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome for his first Sunday as pope.

“For 267 popes now, the church has been naming new popes. So we have great excitement and great enthusiasm for a new holy father,” said Priest Secretary Daniel White.

“I’m impressed because it's someone from the Americas, which now that's two in a row. And I said, he's also a bit younger,” said Marcia Tolman, part-time pastor at the United Church of Christ.  

The pope indicated that he will follow closely in the footsteps of his immediate predecessor, Pope Francis, highlighting a message of peace and unity among people and an end to war.  

“I think that's important because the world is changing. So we need spiritual leaders that can help us through that,” Tolman said. 

“He knew Pope Francis's mind very well. He was in charge of working with Pope Francis in assigning bishops to churches around the whole world. So he knew exactly the mind of Pope Francis,” said Burkard.  

Some believe the new pope will also be a good teacher for young people.

“If we want them to follow a faithful or spiritual path, we need people who can guide and lead them," Tolman said. "And I think this pope will do that."