Reactions of Orlando Catholic clergy to new pope: Strengthened by his election

ORLANDO, Fla. – The election of the first American pope in history was cause for celebration inside Saint James Cathedral Thursday.

“It’s really such a gift to have Pope Leo XIV,” said Father Phillip Mills. “It’s awesome to say that.”

Gathered inside the seat of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, Mills and other clergy expressed their gratitude for the return of the occupant of the throne of Saint Peter.

“Thank you, Lord, for giving us a new shepherd,” remarked Bishop John Noonan in front of a group of assembled reporters. “Thank you, Lord, for providing us with someone who has been a wonderful priest, a wonderful bishop, and who we hope will be a wonderful pope for the world and its people.”

The sentiments inside the cathedral were echoed outside The Basilica of Mary, Queen of the Universe, where News 6 spoke with Father Anthony Aarons.

“We here in America — we’re elevated to the papacy because we travel with our bishop,” explained Father Aarons, who serves as a rector at Mary, Queen of the Universe.

Aarons said he believed Pope Leo XIV would follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis, who appointed Aarons as a Missionary of Mercy.

“I see myself as being strengthened by [Cardinal Robert Prevost’s] election,” Aarons said.

Aarons noted that the last pope to go by the name of Leo was known for his embrace of social justice.

“And I believe that Pope Leo XIV, by choosing that name, is saying I want to continue some of those things that Pope Leo XIII did,” he said.

But Aarons stopped short of characterizing Pope Francis or his successor as “progressive.” When News 6’s Mike Valente asked the priest if he thinks the new pope will push the church in a progressive direction or rather conduct himself as a centrist, Aarons pushed back.

“I see the pope as leading us in a Catholic position,” Aarons said. “We use these terms: ‘progressive, liberal, conservative,’ and so forth. And who are the people who use it? It’s not the popes or bishops themselves using those terms, but people apply this to them.”