Local Catholic church leaders react to first American pope – Rio Rancho Observer

Father Leo Ortiz of the Church of the Incarnation in Rio Rancho
Father Scott Mansfield of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Rio Rancho.

Education Journalist
Father Leo Ortiz of the Church of the Incarnation in Rio Rancho
Father Scott Mansfield of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Rio Rancho.
RIO RANCHO — The conclave’s historic choice last week of a pope from the United States to succeed the late Pope Francis took two local Catholic Church leaders by surprise.
Father Scott Mansfield of St. John Vianney Catholic Church and Father Leo Ortiz of the Church of the Incarnation, both in Rio Rancho, expressed shock and surprise when they learned Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected May 8, choosing the name Pope Leo XIV.
“I never thought, in my life, I would see a U.S.-born pope,” Mansfield said. “My first reaction was, ‘That can’t be right.'”
Ortiz said he was not expecting the conclave to choose an American, and he was “absolutely stunned” at the news.
Their comments came just days into Leo XIV’s papacy, in which the world, and indeed many Americans, are still learning about the man and what kind of pontiff he will be leading 1.4 billion Catholics. In his first remarks from the Balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he spoke of a “united church always seeking peace (and) justice. On Monday, in an audience with journalists, he asked them to use communication as a tool for peace.
“It’s such a great thing for the United States” to have the church elect an American-born pope, Mansfield said, adding, “No one has an answer to that question: ‘Why an American pope at this time?’ I can’t even begin. I’m clueless.”
Mansfield and Ortiz, interviewed separately by the Observer, agreed Leo XIV’s predecessor, Francis, was at times a different kind of pope when he served from March 2013 until his death on April 21 at the age of 88. They believe Leo XIV will be a more traditional pope.
“Francis liked to stir it up somewhat. I think Leo XIV is going to be a little more reserved,” Mansfield said.
He recalled Francis’ 2015 trip to Paraguay, in which he cast aside his written remarks and told youth to “make a mess.”
“I don’t see Leo XIV saying that to the youth,” Mansfield said. 
Ortiz described Francis as a pope who would “speak his mind” to the point where the Vatican would step in to clarify what he said.
“He ventured into unknown waters,” Ortiz said.
A review of news reports over the last several years shows the Vatican tried to walk back Francis’ comments on issues ranging from homosexuality to the war in Ukraine. 
“I don’t get that impression (with Leo XIV),” Ortiz said. “He’ll be very clear, I think, and won’t make any unusual statements that will be confusing.”
At least that’s what Ortiz said he hopes will happen.
Mansfield and Ortiz both said they did not know that much about Prevost, who is also a naturalized citizen of Peru and spent several decades there in various leadership positions with the church before Francis made him a cardinal in 2023.
“I know very little about him, but what I do know: I think he’s very stable and solid in his teachings and adherence to the Catholic faith,” Mansfield said. 
Ortiz expects Pope Leo XIV to uphold the teachings of the church, including the sacrament and the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
“Things that are central to our religion,” Ortiz said. 
Mansfield said he is happy with the church’s choice, citing Prevost’s rise in the church, his fluency in several languages and that fact that he appears to be “a regular guy” who plays tennis and is a devoted fan of the Chicago White Sox.
Ortiz hesitated to call Pope Leo XIV a “regular guy,” but said the new pontiff “feels like” an American citizen because of his Chicago upbringing.
“People from Chicago, I think, are very pleased they have a pope that belongs to them,” Ortiz said. 
Ortiz said it makes him smile that the new pope chose the name Leo, after Pope Leo XIII, who was known as “the Pope of the Worker” during the Industrial Revolution.
“He gave dignity and respect and returned it to the people who worked in the lower classes; he elevated them,” Ortiz said of the former Pope Leo. “It is important we treat all people with dignity and respect, no matter who they are.”
Whatever Pope Leo XIV’s papacy might look like, Mansfield said simply: “He’s now our pope — I have a really good feeling about him.”
Father Leo Ortiz of the Church of the Incarnation in Rio Rancho
Father Scott Mansfield of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Rio Rancho.
Education Journalist
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