Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass after historic election

As we celebrate this morning, I invite you to recognize the marvels that the Lord has done. The first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church presided over his first mass as pontiff today and he spoke in English. Pope Leo I 14th is the Chicagoorn Augustinian missionary. Robert Pvost. He is a Villanova graduate as well. The announcement of his papacy shocked the world. It is Friday afternoon and the big story on Action News at Noon is the Catholic Church celebrating the election of its new leader, Pope Leo I 14th. Yeah, the faithful here at home are offering their thanks for the new pope today. Archbishop Nelson Perez is about to lead a celebratory mass in honor of the church's new leader at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Action News reporter Sherifa Jackson is live now at the Basilica with more on the Pope's first full day and his many ties to the Philadelphia region. Hi Sharifa. Hey guys. Hey Sarah. Hey Christy. We're still learning more about the new pope like how he worked at the St. Dennis Paris in Htown when he was undergrad. He worked at the cemetery when he was at school at Villanova. But he has many ties to the Philadelphia area, especially the Catholic Church. Like here at the Cathe Cathedral Basilica, you see people are entering now. In just a few moments, they'll hold a special mass and they'll pray for him here at the church. I couldn't believe it. Couldn't believe it. an American pope. For the first time in over two weeks, congregants get to say the name of a pope during mass. It may seem like a small detail, but many say it shows the unity of the Catholic Church. I think the obviously the uh cardinals uh the college of cardinals uh had great consensus because if not this wouldn't have happened so quickly. Many people especially here in the Delaware Valley have a great sense of pride being that the Holy Father graduated from Villanova University. He's also the first American pope ever taking the world stage at a critical time. In his first address, the new pope echoing Pope Francis saying the church must build bridges and be open to all. And today, for the first time, he began his homaly with a few words in English at his first mass as pope. Through the ministry of Peter, you have called me to carry that cross and to be blessed with that mission. And I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a church. It's been a long journey to get here for the 69year-old. His brother who was on GMA this morning says he was destined for this role. The most interesting thing is I think from the time he was five or six years old, he knew this was his fate. Not that he would be a pope that he would be a priest, but he knew that from a very young age and it his idea never faltered all through grammar school, high school, college. Yeah, people they began showing up here early. A lot of excitement surrounding this. Again, mass begins in just a few moments. We're live from Center City. Sherifa Jackson, Channel 6 Action News. Christy, Sarah, a lot to celebrate here locally. Sharifa, thank you.