Milwaukee Archbishop Grob reflects on election of Pope Leo XIV

MEQUON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Pope Leo's first mass at the Vatican Friday mirrored thousands of Catholic masses held around the world.

Many of them prayed for Pope Leo by name for the first time, including here at home.

Archbishop Jeffrey Grob had a dentist appointment Thursday as the first American Pope was elected, so he was traveling home as the news was announced.

With a day to process the surprise, Archbishop Grob says he's eager to learn more about Pope Leo and his vision for the church. "Certainly there's a lot of pride, a lot of excitement."

Before celebrating mass in Mequon Friday, Archbishop Grob spoke about the surprise candidate now elected to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

When Pope Leo first emerged, Archbishop Grob, like so many others, did not know much about him.

He called Pope Leo a soft-spoken man with a clear sense of duty, a man who as a missionary was very engaged in his work.

And he said choosing the name Leo to honor the social reformer Pope Leo XIII shows a great care for people and justice.

Later, during mass, the congregation prayed for Pope Leo, who is being celebrated for giving a voice to the Americas.

Archbishop Grob said, "When you say America, not just the United States, but you're thinking of the Americas. North, Central, and South America."

He added, "He's thinking with the mind of the church, and, in a sense, a church that is a mission to the whole world."

Archbishop Grob said he does not know Pope Leo personally.