Local Catholics share unique viewpoints on our new Holy Father

Tony Talbert speaks with a woman at a free vegetable table outside David’s House, the ministry building of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Tri-County Good Samaritan conference, in Richmond on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by Natalie Hoefer)

By Natalie Hoefer

As the world learns more about Pope Leo XIV, some common observations and themes have emerged.

Many have noted in articles and interviews the new pope’s similar thinking to Pope Francis, including in terms of social justice and care for the environment. Others have remarked that his years of ministry in Peru and his dual U.S. and Peruvian citizenship make him a native of both countries.

The Criterion spoke with Catholics in central and southern Indiana whose thoughts on the new pope shine light on different aspects that could shape his papacy. (See more reactions from people here)

‘Conscious of integral ecology’

John Mundell couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the new pope.

“I’m walking on air right now,” said the member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Indianapolis.

He expects that air will get cleaner, given Pope Leo’s alignment with Pope Francis’ focus on care for creation.

“I’m completely confident he has values in line with “Laudato Si’ ” and will continue Pope Francis’ legacy in this area,” said Mundell, who is president and senior environmental consultant for Mundell & Associates in Indianapolis.

He also just finished serving as global director of the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform—a service to help individuals and institutions with sustainability efforts—since its inception in 2022.

“I’m so happy about this announcement of the new pope,” Mundell said. “Him being an American is great, but it’s really because of his whole ministry. He ministered and lived in Peru, and Peru is known to have a lot of environment issues impacting the community there.

“I’m confident he’s faced these needs where he served and is dedicated to caring for creation and the importance of being conscious of integral ecology, not just in terms of the environment but in its impact on people and cultures.”

Social justice workers Mundell knows in Peru confirmed his confidence.

“They were lighting up [a message] group with comments about how excited they were because Pope Leo brings North and South America together,” Mundell said. “They said he made quite a name for himself in Peru.”

Mundell also finds promise in the pope taking the name Leo XIV.

“Leo XIII represents everything about Catholic social teaching that I’ve been educated on over the years,” he said. “That was another sign for me that he’ll continue the road Pope Francis took and provide structure to make it more of a reality for the poor and those in need.

“I think Pope Leo will be a uniting force for care for creation and in efforts to build peace.”

‘Connection of spiritual nourishment’ for the world

Between 1985-2023, Pope Leo served more than 20 years in Peru in various capacities—in parishes, for his Augustinian Order’s Mother of Good Counsel Province, as a bishop and more.

It’s no wonder, then, that Peru natives in the archdiocese share national pride in his election as pope.

Peruvian native Andres Pecho had an emotional response to the election of Pope Leo.

“I am so very happy, on the verge of tears,” he said. “There is a connection of spiritual nourishment for Peru, for Latin America, for North America and for the world.”

Pecho moved with his wife Ena to Indiana from the southwestern city of Nazca, Peru, in August of 2018. He now serves as assistant to the director of faith formation at the couple’s parish, St. Monica in Indianapolis.

Pecho said he likes the “beautiful coincidence that there is this connection with Pope Francis, the Argentinian pope,” and Pope Leo, who has citizenship in the South American country of Peru.

He also appreciates Pope Leo’s fluency in five languages.

“I think when a person speaks more than two languages, his sensitivity is better,” he said—an important attribute, given what Pecho calls the “pastoral vocation” of the pope.

Pecho’s fellow parishioner, Percy Consiglieri, is also a native of Peru.

“I am so happy—it’s something very special,” he said of Pope Leo’s election.

Consiglieri, who moved to the United States 30 years ago, noted that for many Latinos, “America” refers to the northern and southern continents rather than the United States.

“So, some Latinos may say he’s not the first from America, because Pope Francis was from South America,” he said. “But still, I like to see that he’s North American!”

Vulnerable ‘are to be included’

On May 8, after hearing a new pope had been elected, “A calmness came to me, thinking how quickly our Catholic leaders could discern and know what was best for the Church,” said Mark Casper, agency director of St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities in New Albany and a member of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Jeffersonville.

As he watched a live feed of the announcement, Casper said he gasped in astonishment when the commentators started saying quietly in the background, “We have an American Pope.”

He was so excited, he “yelled down our office hallway at St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities, ‘He’s American!’ I was convinced there would never be an American pope in my lifetime.”

After the initial excitement, the social service agency director took time to reflect on the election of Pope Leo.

“I’m hopeful that this American pope’s understanding of the social justice issues here in America and throughout the world will be a focal point in the coming years,” said Casper.

“I am happy to hear Pope Leo is a bridge builder and sees the Church’s role as a missionary Church so that the vulnerable are not forgotten but are to be included.”

Tony Talbert agreed with Casper. Talbert is president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Tri-County Good Samaritans conference, serving Fayette, Union and Wayne counties in east central Indiana.

After listening to Pope Leo’s comments from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, “What resonated well with me was his comment on building bridges,” said Talbert. “That is exactly what we do for the poor at St. Vincent de Paul—build bridges of hope and comfort to a better life. We show them love without judgment.”

In a global society fraught with division, “I feel like there is an opportunity with the new pope to see unity in a world that is not what God wants it to be,” said the member of St. Bridget of Ireland Parish in Liberty.

Every person in the pew can help the pope in this mission, said Talbert.

“It is up to us as Catholics to lead the world in showing others hope, love and compassion, for each of us to make our part of the world a better place,” he said, and for each Catholic “to reach out to those in need, to be ‘Good Samaritans’ who do God’s work every day.”
 

(Criterion editor Mike Krokos contributed to this story.) †

 

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