By SARA FURLONG

s.furlong@bradfordera.com

The Catholic Church has been in existence for nearly 2,000 years.

Now, for the first time, an American has been elected pope.

A native of Chicago, Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV on Thursday.

His election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21. ‘Who would have ever guessed an American would be elected pope?’ wondered the Rev. John Jacquel of St. Bernard Church.

‘I think it took everybody by surprise — nobody was expecting an American, although there was some chatter about one or two of the

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AP photo cardinals,” Jacquel said. “I still think it’s pretty amazing that one from Chicago was elected.”

The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, bishop of Erie, issued a statement Thursday, “Habemus Papam: We have a pope!”

He wrote, “With profound gratitude and heartfelt joy, I write to you (Thursday) as the universal church welcomes Pope Leo XIV’s election as its new Holy Father. Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected the 267th successor to Saint Peter.

“Pope Leo … brings a wealth of pastoral experience and a deep commitment to the Gospel. There is great anticipation that our new bishop, a faithful shepherd whose spirit of peace and commitment to building bridges, will guide us toward greater unity, healing and hope.”

Pope Leo XIV is also the first Augustinian friar to be elected pontiff. The Augustinian community emphasizes community, education and service.

Coincidentally, Jacquel noted that St. Bernard will soon welcome an Augustinian missionary.

“They will send one of their priests to come and speak about the work they do in various foreign countries,” he said. “We’ve been in touch with the main office in Massachusetts — they’re ecstatic.”

Prevost is also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in that South American country, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop, according to the Associated Press. “He has been a missionary and we saw him also address people in Spanish (when the pope spoke Thursday from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica),” Jacquel noted. “His heart is in lots of places with lots of people, even though he’s from Chicago.”

Persico observed, “His experience in South America, particularly Peru, and Europe gives him a unique perspective on unifying the church across continents. Though relatively new to the College of Cardinals, he is a spiritual leader serving as prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops, a prominent role in the Catholic Church.”

He called for the Catholic Church to attend Masses offered for the intentions of Pope Leo, and for the faithful to include him in their prayers.

“Let us unite in prayer for our Holy Father, that he may be granted wisdom, strength and grace to lead the Catholic Church in these times,” Persico wrote. “Let us also remember the words of Pope Francis, who reminded us that ‘the church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors always wide open.’ May we continue to embody this spirit of openness and love in our communities.”