Manitobans react with surprise, pride as 1st American named Pope

The speed with which white smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling a new pope had been chosen, came as a surprise to the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Winnipeg. 

"The average [for choosing a new pope] is about three days, so this was fairly quick," said Archbishop Murray Chatlain, in an interview with CBC Thursday. 

The fact an American was chosen came as another surprise, he said.

"Most of the world is mad at the United States right now, so he was not one of the top runners, and yet they chose him." 

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago, who will take the name Pope Leo XIV, was elected pope in the fourth ballot, on the second day of the conclave. He succeeds Pope Francis, who became pope in 2013 and died on April 21.

While perhaps not the choice Chatlain was expecting, the archbishop said he appreciates the work the new pontiff has previously done. 

Prevost went to Peru as a missionary in 1985, and later became a Peruvian citizen, so he has dual nationalities. He later served as a bishop in Chiclayo, in northwestern Peru, and became a cardinal in 2023.

"It's encouraging that he's someone that has a sense of social justice and care for the poor," said Chatlain. 

Leo may be the first American Pope, but Chatlain said he believes the decision to elect him came down to "the quality of the man himself, more than where he was from." 

"Partly he has tremendous language abilities…. I think he's seen as, you know, a supporter and friend of Pope Francis, and that it's not going to be a big movement away from what Pope Francis has been doing for 12 years, and yet a very reliable, stable fellow," he said.  

Chatlain said he doesn't want to predict how Pope Leo will lead. 

"I want to hear how Pope Leo is inspired by God to push us forward," he said. 

The choice of an American as the next Pope left the president of the Manitoba Métis Federation with a sense of pride. 

"First North American ever Pope, I think it's something to be proud of," said David Chartrand.