‘Come together in unity’: Catholics in Montreal look to new pope with hope, optimism

Catholics visiting St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal on Friday said they were hopeful and optimistic about the election of the new pope.

At the 8:30 a.m. mass, there were more faithful attending than usual amid the excitement about the Catholic church’s new leader, who was chosen after a short-lived conclave ending on Thursday.

“They want to come and pray as they see the new pope coming in function,” said Rev. Claude Grou.

Cardinals elected 69-year-old Chicago-born Robert Prevost, becoming the first pope from the United States.

Among the people who visited the oratory on Friday was Griselda Sukmoro from Ontario, who has high hopes for Pope Leo XIV.

“We want a future where everyone can come together in unity, especially unity,” she said.

Unity and peace were common themes for many of the Catholics who spoke to CTV News, including some who were fascinated that Pope Leo is the first American to be elected pontiff.

“I think it’s pretty interesting, his background and the fact of growing up in the States with all these immigrant families and then going to Peru. So, I think it’s pretty cool,” said Leo Montealegre.

• Pope Leo offered three big clues about his papacy in his first appearance
• Victims’ group alleges Pope Leo XIV mishandled sexual abuse cases involving priests in Chicago and Peru

The pope has appeared to be uneasy with U.S. President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies.

Rev. Grou calls the new pope openhearted.

“I think the pope will continue to have the same attitude as Pope Francis, insisting that we should not build walls, but build channels of communication and open ourselves to a world in need,” he told CTV News.

“So, that will be what he will repeat, constantly, and his position will remain the same as the one of Pope Francis. So, obviously very different from the one of the leaders in the United States.”

Pope Leo spent years in Peru, which brings comfort to this Peruvian missionary.

“He knows my people. That’s dear to my heart,” said Erika Schelje.

“We pray that he’s faithful to the Lord… That instead of going progressive or conservative, he will unite us instead of dividing us more."

Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, the Archbishop of Quebec, said it was a moving experience to be inside the conclave.

“I wanted to listen and that’s what I did. And, finally, well, things moved along and I was able to cast my vote for the one I thought was the one the Lord wanted,” he told a news conference in Rome on Friday.

“From the inside it was a beautiful experience and I thank God to have had this opportunity once in my life.”