WILMINGTON, Del. — Bishop William E. Koenig of the Diocese of Wilmington, which oversees all Catholic churches on Delmarva, shared a message of joy and gratitude Thursday evening after the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
“The Diocese of Wilmington joins with Catholics and people of good will throughout the world in gratitude to God for choosing Pope Leo XIV as the next pope to lead the Catholic Church,” Koenig said in an official statement.
Pope Leo XIV, a native of Chicago, is viewed as a figure of both pastoral compassion and administrative skill. Bishop Koenig praised his wide-ranging experience as a missionary, canon law expert, administrator and Vatican official. He described the new pope as “a prayerful, quiet, humble, holy and kind man” and “a worthy successor of St. Peter.”
Koenig also referenced the Church’s current theme. “In this Jubilee Year of Hope,” he said, “we witness once again how, when it comes to God’s watchful care over the Church, ‘hope does not disappoint.’” He also quoted Pope Leo’s own words from earlier Thursday: “For you I am a bishop, but with you I am a Christian.”
Special Mass of Thanksgiving
To mark the occasion, Koenig will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, May 11, at 9:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter at Sixth and North West streets in Wilmington. The service will be available for livestream viewing on the Diocese of Wilmington’s YouTube channel.
The Diocese of Wilmington encompasses the entire state of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, supporting 54 parishes, 20 missions and 29 schools.
Community Reactions
Locals also shared their reflections on the new pontiff.
Barbara Lagano of Selbyville said, “I'm very happy that we have finally gotten an American pope and I want to wish him all the best in the world.”
Melvin Woody, a member of Milford Catholic, offered a more measured response. “Just hope he's a man of his word. No backsliding. Don't tell people what they want to hear. Do as you say you're going to do. And help people,” he said.
As the world watches, Catholics everywhere now turn their eyes to Rome, anticipating the early actions and direction of Pope Leo XIV's leadership.