“Together with Leo, our pope…”

“Together with Leo, our pope…” The words were spoken or sung throughout the world on May 10 and 11, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the first obligatory gathering of the Body of Christ at the Eucharistic celebration. For our diocese and nation, the words evoked excitement; the first American born pope!  

But before the first Sunday Mass following Pope Leo XIV’s election, Masses were offered on the weekdays after the conclusion of the conclave. One such Mass took place at 1 p.m. on May 8 in the chapel at CHI Lisbon Health, only 40 minutes after the official announcement. This Mass, a votive Mass offered for the new Pope, was possibly the first in the world where Pope Leo was included by name in the Eucharistic Prayer. 

The celebrant for this Mass was Father Riley Durkin, Pastor of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church in Lisbon, who oversees pastoral care at CHI Lisbon Health. Dr. Kiesha Onyeneho was in attendance. Below are their thoughts on this remarkable occasion.  

 

Describe your day on May 8 as the conclave was occurring. What were you doing when you first heard we had a new pope?  

Father Durkin: I looked up the approximate times of the votes and had a livestream going of the chimney on both my computer and phone. When the white smoke came, in a strangely ironic twist of fate, I just sat down to a Lisbon Ministerium meeting in which the other pastors in town were playfully teasing me that I should be watching for smoke instead of attending the meeting. After I saw the white smoke on my phone, I left the meeting early to ring the church bells. I was surprised and edified by the congratulatory wishes from the non-Catholic pastors in Lisbon following the election.  

Dr. Onyeheno: I was at work seeing patients. I knew the conclave was going on, but with this being the first conclave that I have been Catholic for, I presumed it would take much longer to reach a decision. I found out about the white smoke in a text message thread with the CHI Lisbon Mission Director.  

What was your reaction to the election of Pope Leo XIV?  

Father Durkin: I grew up hearing that we would never have an American Pope. When the cardinal announced who was elected, I was shocked. Not only is he from the Midwest, but he is the first Pope in at least a millennium to not come from a historically Catholic country. I am excited to get to know him better and see if there is an uptick in Catholic conversions during his pontificate.  

Dr. Onyeneho: I was quite surprised to hear we had an American pope. I did not think I would ever see the day. I did not know much about Pope Leo XIV at first, but now that he has spoken a few times, I am truly excited to see where his Papacy leads us. I feel he will bring more unity to the Church, as that has been strong in his early messages. There is excitement among Catholics, and even non-Catholics, which is refreshing.  

Did anything from the Mass offered at the hospital on May 8 resonate with you?  

Father Durkin: I was excited that this preplanned Mass happened to be only 40 minutes after our new Pontiff’s Urbi et Orbi blessing. I celebrated a votive Mass for the Pope and was happy to include his new name. I like to think I was one of the first! This truly was a once in a lifetime experience. Whether it be coincidence or Providence, the Lord works in mysterious ways.  

Dr. Onyeneho: The unique part of this Mass was the way it landed on a Thursday afternoon, which was an unusual day and time for this hospital Mass. God obviously had a plan for us to celebrate Mass just after the selection of our new Pope. It was beautifully timed, we could not have done it better ourselves. The Mass was a lovely, peace filled moment of my day, and it truly felt blessed by God.  

 

What are your thoughts on participating in one of the first (if not the very first) Masses offered in the world for Pope Leo XIV after his election? Were you aware of the significance of this Mass?  

Father Durkin: This really was an act of Providence. Since it was just myself and Dr. Onyeneho at this Mass, I was able to share all sorts of thoughts bouncing around my head before Mass. I have a great love for the previous Pope Leo as he, among other things, was the pope to establish the Diocese of Fargo. Leo XIII also had a heart for the poor, defended the dignity of the human person, and established the St. Michael prayer.  

Dr. Onyeneho: It was a quaint, yet beautiful Mass. It was exciting to hear Pope Leo XIV’s name in the Mass, but I didn’t put it together that it was possibly the first Mass said for him. It’s still hard to wrap my head around. I enjoyed learning about the process of electing a Pope, and I’m enjoying the sense of anticipation that is rippling through the Church with Leo XIV’s election.