WORCESTER, Mass. - The Diocese of Worcester said they’re joining the whole world in excitement over newly named Pope Leo XIV.

In a statement to Spectrum News 1, Bishop Robert McManus said:

"Join with me in a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the election of Pope Leo XIV as our new Holy Father. We are truly blessed to welcome him as the Supreme Pontiff and we pledge our support and prayers for his pontificate. We are also proud that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a native of Chicago and a product of the Church in America, is now the Holy Father of the Universal Church.

Two thousand years ago Jesus sent forth his disciples, guided by the Holy Spirit, with the great commission to go out to all the world to spread the Good News that we are saved by Christ’s eternal sacrifice and God’s boundless love. Today, 133 cardinals, who came to Rome from around the globe, guided by the Holy Spirit and strengthened by all our prayers, elected the 267th successor to Saint Peter so that the great commission will continue. We are truly a universal Church which, under the guidance of Pope Leo XIV, will remain steadfast in witnessing to God’s infinite love in a world so desperately in need of hope.

Let us use the weeks ahead to learn about Pope Leo XIV, listen to him as he speaks to the world, and pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to empower him with the gifts needed to guide the Church as the Vicar of Christ and Bishop of Rome."

The chancellor of the diocese says "Habemus Papam", the Latin phrase which translates to "We have a Pope", is being spread across the world.

“It's just an amazing day for everyone. Every time a new a new Holy Father is named as elected by the cardinals who came from all around the world to Rome in order to be able to do this," Ray Delisle said. "Everyone was wondering who it would be; it's excitement. And the fact that everyone is so engaged in this speaks to how important the role of the Holy Father is in the whole world, not just to Catholics.”

Delisle said while each new pope brings their own personality to the role, at the same time, Catholics look to every pope to unify the church and move their mission forward.

As they joined in prayer when Pope Francis died, the diocese will now join those around the world and have masses of thanksgiving for the new Pope Leo XIV.