The world has a new pope and he's the first ever from the United States.
Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, was announced Thursday before thousands of Roman Catholics at the Vatican and millions watching and listening around the world.
Bishop Gerald Kicanas of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, which includes Yuma and La Paz counties, issued a statement on the announcement of the new Holy Father while on a pilgrimage in Greece.
In a released statement, Bishop Kicanas said "It is a joy for all of us in the Diocese of Tucson that the Cardinals gathered in conclave, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, have selected Pope Leo XIV."
"I do know our new Holy Father and have met him," Kicanas continued. "I have every confidence that he will be what the Cardinals sought as qualities needed in our next Pope, that he would be a builder of bridges, a true shepherd, a master of humanity and the face of a Samaritan Church, a serving Church toward all."
Bishop Kicanas said the Diocese will celebrate the election of the new Pope on Sunday, May 18 at the 10 a.m. Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson.
