'A new beginning.' University of Georgia Catholic Center clergy reacts to Pope Leo XIV

Caption

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost poses after being elevated to the rank of cardinal at the Vatican in 2023. Prevost was elected as the first-ever American pope, Leo XIV, May 8, 2025.

Credit: Photo by Yara Nardi/Reuters

The Catholic cardinals have elected the church's new pope, Robert Prevost, who has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV. He becomes the first American pope.

• RELATED: Cardinal Robert Prevost becomes the first American pope, choosing the name Leo XIV

GPB partner WUGA's Emma Auer spoke with Father Michael Bremer with the University of Georgia Catholic Center on his reaction to Pope Leo XIV being elected.

TRANSCRIPT:

Emma Auer: Can you give me your reaction to Pope Leo being chosen?

Michael Bremer: Yeah, the initial reaction was feeling surreal, like, "Wow, this is actually happening." And then there was a bit of excitement that was going on after that.

Emma Auer: And what's your reaction to Leo himself? Like what do you think he's going to bring as the leader of the Catholic Church?

Michael Bremer: So I don't speak Italian, but the word that I was picking up on during his initial announcement was pace, peace. So, he was using that word a lot. So, the hope is that he brings a little bit more peace into the world.

Emma Auer: And what's your reaction to an American pope?

Michael Bremer: It's pretty surreal as well. A few of our students were joking around that he knows what Portillo's is, the great Chicago restaurant. He knows a deep-dish pizza is. So, it feels surreal that it's so "close," quote unquote, to home.

Emma Auer: How will you be using kind of this new chapter in your own, like, your homilies?

Michael Bremer: Yeah, that's a good question. I think in a special way for new beginnings. So, this man, Robert Prevost, has become Leo the 14th and there's a new beginning in his own life. I just think, for example, our seniors that are about to graduate here also entering into a new phase in their own life. But the beautiful thing about that transition from the old into the new is that God always remains the same. So, it's kind of like this seamlessness that God will have. Both in Robert's life and hopefully our seniors' life or anybody who is having a new beginning.

Emma Auer: All right, thank you so much, Reverend.

Michael Bremer: Is that it?

Emma Auer: I think so, yeah.

Michael Bremer: Cool, Thank you.