‘He’s like us. He’s like us.’ Over 1,500 attend Mass for Pope Leo XIV at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.
By Rita Chandler Globe Correspondent, Updated
May 15, 2025, 12:21 a m
A Mass for Pope Leo XIV drew more than 1,500 people to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston this week, ahead of his official inauguration Mass on Sunday at the Vatican.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV is the first pontiff born in the United States, a distinction which makes some feel a special kinship with him.
“Him being from America . . . he has this connection,” said Jasmin Barba, 22, of Brockton. “Just like when Pope Francis was elected, and all the Argentinians and all the Latinos were paying attention… it sparks a new interest. It’s like, oh, look — something I can relate to.”
Pope Leo XIV, a former missionary and cardinal in Peru, was elected last week in a secret Vatican conclave to replace the late Pope Francis as leader of the Roman Catholic church.
Applause filled the grand church as soon as Archbishop Richard G. Henning dedicated the Mass Wednesday to the new pope, whose portrait adorned the altar.
“I wish I could show Pope Leo what’s happening here tonight,” Henning said to the diverse congregation. “It’s such a beautiful sight, to look out and see this beautiful cathedral filled with the even more beautiful sight of God’s [people].”
Portions of the Mass were said in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Some hymns were backed by the cathedral’s pipe organ, others by the soft strumming of a guitar. Worshipers of all ages clasped their hands in prayer.
“[Pope Leo] has really been a sign of unity these past five days, six days,” said Auxiliary Bishop Cristiano Barbosa, who attended along with more than fifty other clergy.
“Of course, there are many groups within the Church who think differently, but everyone is saying, ‘He’s like us, he’s like us.’ He even used the word ‘bridge’ at least two or three times in his homilies,” Barbosa said after the 90-minute service. “It brings me a lot of hope, a lot of joy.”
A member of the Order of St. Augustine, Pope Leo XIV spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru. But the surprise election of the humble son of an educator and librarian from Chicago has created a new connection with the papacy.
His time in Peru has also resonated with people there. And following the revelation of his Haitian and Creole heritage through his mother’s side, he’s been warmly embraced by those communities as well.
And there are early signs he may already be having a positive influence on the American church.
There have been “anecdotal reports of more people showing up to Mass,” said Patrick Krisak, director of Faith Formation & Missionary Discipleship at the archdiocese.
“Just because they’re intrigued,” Krisak said. “And it’s so strange and different, for many of us, to hear those [media] interviews in English... to feel close to him, that he knows us and we know him a little bit because of our shared cultural experience.”
“I think there’s a fundamentally deep human need to forge connection,” Henning said in an interview before the Mass. “So I think it’s a good thing if Catholics see in him a sense of identification or connection.”
“But being a disciple is not about that,” he continued, emphasizing the importance of unity under a shared faith and the ability to transcend differences.
“I think it’s fair to say that at one point or another during this Holy Mass, each of us did not understand something. So we’re all equal in that,” Henning said at the Mass’s closing.
“But irrespective of words, every one of us shares the same faith in Jesus Christ... and we gather tonight to rejoice in the fact that we have one holy father, Pope Leo, to guide us in the years to come.”
Some worshippers agreed the new pope brings new hope to the global church.
“I think he’s going to be very good for the youth,” said Rosa Flores, 79, of Roslindale. “And I think he’s going to be a pastor not just for the nation, but for the whole world.”
“It’s only been a week, but it’s already been like a breath of fresh air,” said Emma Cuevas, 20, of Brockton. “And to see how there’s many like, Muslims and atheists and people that are not from the Catholic Church, they’re intrigued too... that’s because of the mission he has, to be more universal.”
Rita Chandler can be reached at rita.chandler@globe.com.
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