A Lexington Catholic priest says he wasn’t shocked by the selection of the first American-born pope. Father Jim Sichko is a papal missionary of mercy and evangelist for the Diocese of Lexington. He said he hasn’t met Chicago native Robert Prevost (Pray-vost), who took the papal name Leo the 14th, but he thought the new pope would be a first of some kind.
“It was either going to be a first meaning Asian, first meaning African, or first meaning American, and if it was an American, it would (have) been him.”
Sichko said he believes Pope Leo will follow through on many of the statements and actions of his predecessor.
“I believe that he will continue those type of processes such as synods and listening and dialogue and going to the peripheries and really reaching out to the poor and this working class.”
Sichko said he believes Pope Leo will also bring back more traditional aspects of the papacy, as evidenced by the vestments he’s worn and the crosier – a hooked staff associated with bishops – he’s carried. He said he hopes to go to the Vatican in the next six months with a gift of Kentucky bourbon selected in the new pope’s honor – but he’s keeping the brand a secret for now.
