Cardinal Blase Cupich to celebrate Golden Jubilee Saturday

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Cardinal Blase Cupich is reflecting on his time in the priesthood and his rise from bishop, to cardinal, to power player at the Vatican during the election of Pope Leo XIV.

Saturday marks 50 years since Cupich became a priest.

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He's celebrating his Golden Jubilee.

He was the first U.S. bishop to be named a cardinal by Pope Francis.

Cupich was seen as an integral voice in the conclave that elected the first American pope, born in Chicago.

Cupich famously does not like to talk about himself.

"I'm just as enthusiastic as I was the day I was ordained," he said.

When asked if, in the next 50 years, there will be a place for women in the church, Cupich said, "I think that we're seeing that grow, haven't we? The governor of Vatican City is a woman. The heads of congregations are women."

He said the church is important in Chicago, especially after Pope Leo was elected.

"The fact that we produced a pope is a nice historical moment for us, and it was celebrated so wonderfully on June 14," Cupich said. "We're very proud of that, and he seems to hit the ground running. It was like he was up with central casting."

Cupich said he likes to cook, and finds it relaxing, as a fact many might not know about him.

He also reminisced on the conclave.

"There was one moment, though, that it dawned on me that after the election and before it was announced, we had 133 people in the room. And that 133 people knew something the rest of the world wanted to know," Cupich said. "I saw that put the papers in the stove with the chemicals for the white smoke to go up. I thought, what a wonderful, unbelievable moment, and that I'll never have again."

Cupich said he's seeing some differences since Pope Leo was elected.

"I am seeing a pride, but I'm seeing that not just from Catholics, but a lot of people in Chicago. The buzz has not left them in terms of the sense of exhilaration, that a son of Chicago is now the successor of Peter. I think it's going to be even more pronounced the day that he comes to Chicago. Any idea when? No, I don't, I don't, but I think it's inevitable," he said.

The Archdiocese of Chicago will celebrate Mass for Cardinal Cupich's Golden Jubilee Saturday evening at Holy Name Cathedral.