Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass as pontiff in Sistine Chapel
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Pope Leo XIV began his first full day as pontiff Friday.
He led Mass at the Sistine Chapel and spoke before the cardinals who appointed him.
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The pope made history as the first American pope, and he is from Chicago.
Pope Leo XIV gave his first homily beginning in English, another moment marking the significance for American Catholics.
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The Vatican announced he will be formally installed as pope at a special Mass on May 18.
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Video shows personal moments that played out behind closed doors overnight, including the pope making a surprise appearance inside the Vatican Palace, where he lived until Thursday night.
He greeted the faithful, took photos with people, gave smiles and shook hands and gave everyone a blessing.
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Father Jack Wall, who is pastor emeritus at Old St. Pat's, was in St. Peter's Square when all of this played out Thursday. He spoke about what this means to Catholics in Chicago.
"Just an amazing gift to experience someone who came from one of our neighborhoods, I actually grew up in the same communities he did and went to the same grammar school, and to see somebody coming from our roots and raised by his family and good families that come out of our Church experience, it's just amazing," Fr. Wall said. "One of us. There's a great line in scripture, 'What good can ever come out of Nazareth?' It has that same feeling from Dolton, Illinois. This man has come forward and all of his gifts and talent will now be given to the world...I get very emotional even thinking about it."
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Wall said that is what he was feeling when seeing an American pope on the balcony.
