Winnipeg archbishops rejoice at selection of Leo By: John Longhurst Posted: 5:15 PM CDT Thursday, May. 8, 2025 Last Modified: 8:04 PM CDT Thursday, May. 8, 2025 Updates

Winnipeg Archbishop Murray Chatlain was not expecting to hear the news about a new pope so soon.

“That’s a good sign of unity in the church,” said Chatlain. “It means there wasn’t a lot of back and forth about who to choose.”

American Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected Thursday as the new head of the Catholic Church, a day after the conclave began in the Vatican.

Chatlain, who was appointed the archbishop of Winnipeg in December and assumed the role in April, doesn’t know Pope Leo XIV.

“But he knows about me,” Chatlain said, noting that as a cardinal, the new Pope was the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome. In that role, he would have researched and recommended Chatlain to Pope Francis to be the new archbishop of Winnipeg.

Chatlain is excited by the election of the new pontiff for several reasons, including the fact he speaks a number of languages such as English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and French.

“It’s good for the shepherd to speak the language of so many of the church’s people,” he said.

Chatlain is also excited by his experience among the poorest in Peru, where he served from 2014 to 2023. “He understands the issues facing people who are poor,” he said.

Chatlain said he was surprised an American was chosen, considering how the U.S. is viewed by many in the world today, but thinks it was “because of the quality of the man” and his connections to South America.

The archbishop expects the new Pope to have some understanding of Indigenous issues, since he worked with Indigenous people in Peru. He also expects him to continue in the same direction as pope Francis.

“I don’t have the feeling he will change the church dramatically,” he said, adding he thinks he will continue the process of synodality — of listening to the laity — that Francis started.

“My heart goes out to him, to all of a sudden be in this role,” Chatlain said. “We should all pray the Lord gives him the strength he needs.”

Albert LeGatt, archbishop of St. Boniface, said he knows little about the new pontiff, but what he does know causes him to believe he is the right person for the job.

“I really like that he is coming from a background of serving in Peru,” he said, noting he has spent a fair amount of time dealing with issues related to poverty and injustice, especially towards Indigenous people.

“He knows how to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures,” LeGatt said.

He also comes with administrative skills and knows the Vatican, having served in administrative positions there. “He comes to his new role with a lot of experience.”

LeGatt agrees Leo XIV will continue in the direction promoted by Pope Francis.

“I think there will be good continuity of spirit in the church through his leadership,” he said.

Manitoba leaders offered congratulations in the legislature Thursday.

“(It’s) significant appointment in many ways, but for those Manitobans who are people of faith, who work directly with the Catholic Church, or people who work in interfaith initiatives, this is an important moment for them and for all of us who have been on a journey of reconciliation,” said Premier Wab Kinew.

Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan offered best wishes to the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

“We look forward to his papacy,” he said.

Thursday evening, parishioners at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church on Inkster Boulevard expressed their enthusiasm about the election of Pope Leo XIV as they prepared for evening mass.

“He sounds like a good person,” said Gloria Boychuk, 83. “I hope he does just as good as pope Francis because (he) was a down-to-earth pope.”

Carlos Bergantin, who was born in Portugal and has attended St. Peter’s since he arrived in Winnipeg 50 years ago, echoed that sentiment.

“I’m happy because it looks like he will follow the example of pope Francis,” said Bergantin, 78, who appreciated the way Francis was “close to the poor people.”

He was surprised the new pope is an American, “but for me it doesn’t matter which country he’s from,” he said.

Robert, who didn’t give his last name, said he had been following the conclave closely.

“There were many good candidates but in the end it’s among them (the cardinals) and the Holy Spirit to decide,” the 52-year-old said, adding he trusts that whomever the cardinals elect is the right person for the job at this time.

“He’s smart, he’s traditional… he’s also fairly young, so hopefully he’ll be around for a long time.”

Alexander Toring said he’s excited about the cardinals’ choice.

“Hopefully, he can do what pope Francis was doing before,” the 55-year-old said. “The church is so strong (and) hopefully, this pope will continue that legacy.”

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