In a turn of events that has resonated across the heartland, Cardinal Robert Prevost ascended to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV, marking him as the inaugural American-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church – an occasion greeted with a blend of astonishment and pride, particularly in Oklahoma, where his roots run deep. According to an interview by NewsOn6, the connection to Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa is notable, with the new pontiff having served on its board; "Shocked, really quite shocked. Never expected it. And when he came out on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, it was really kind of unbelievable. It was kind of surreal and very emotional," expressed an Oklahoma clergy member.
The former missionary and Vatican official, who cut his faith’s teeth in the soils of Peru, was elected swiftly to lead more than a billion Catholics worldwide, a ritual concluded with the sight of white smoke signifying a decision made. This decision has injected a fresh pulse into the Augustinian order, which, after 700 years, sees one of its own bear the mantle of St. Peter for the first time, as thrilled members await what spiritual wisdom he might impart. "Yes, so thankfully the conclave didn't last that long in terms of our historical perspective. But what happened today was that the white smoke was seen and then there was a delay before they announced who it was that had actually been chosen. So that wait there for about 35 minutes or so was tense," a member of the clerical community shared with NewsOn6.
Pope Leo XIV's inaugural appearance adorned in the traditional red papal cape underscored a return to certain traditional vestiges of the Vatican — a mantle Pope Francis had set aside in his time, as per a report by KOCO. In stark contrast to the surprise of his election, his vestiary choices reflect a possible pivot towards the Church's storied customs.
The Diocese of Tulsa's social media post echoed the sentiment of connection and unexpected honor, as Oklahoma now holds an indelible link to the seat of St. Peter through Pope Leo XIV's past presence on Cascia Hall's board, as stated in KFOR report.
