‘Big surprise’: Oklahomans express shock over American being chosen as new pope

Oklahoma Roman Catholics expressed joy about the election of a new pope, but many said there was another emotion that rose to the surface after the pontiff’s name and nationality were announced at the Vatican: Surprise.

“I’m shocked that he’s American,” said Martha Wiseman, a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church.

“At first I was a little worried thinking if he’s American, is he going to be political? Then, I decided I need to get that out of my mind.”

Oklahomans weren’t alone in their surprise that an American, Chicago native Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected the 267th pontiff. By many accounts, Roman Catholics and non-Catholics around the globe were stunned to learn that Prevost, who chose the name Pope Leo XIV, had been chosen.

‘A great joy, but also a great surprise’

The Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, talked about the reality of an American being chosen as the new pontiff.

“To be honest, I never thought I would see the day when we would have an American pope,” Coakley said.

“It is indeed a great joy, but also a great surprise, that the cardinal-electors have chosen an American cardinal to shepherd the universal Church.”

Wiseman shared similar sentiments.

“I didn’t think an American pope would ever be chosen in my lifetime,” she said. “Now, I think it might be a new light in America. I think it could bring a lot of hope. I think America needs some hope.”

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