Fresno man shares experience of being in Vatican City as Pope Leo XIV makes first appearance

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Under the wide bluish skies astatine Vatican City connected Thursday, a plume of achromatic fume roseate from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the infinitesimal tens of thousands of parishioners waited for.

A caller Pope had been elected with a two-thirds bulk ballot among the 133 cardinals.

The faithful packed into St. Peter's Square to get their archetypal look astatine their caller leader, Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, walking retired connected the balcony.

He volition beryllium known arsenic Pope Leo XIV.

His gentle question and archetypal words sent a unreserved of emotion done the crowd, including Chandler Marquez, Communications Director of the Diocese of Fresno.

"I wasn't expecting to beryllium affectional astir it astatine all, but I was. It was a truly chill experience, conscionable the crowd, and we were lasting connected apical of the Vatican, and it was shaking, it was truly cool," Marquez said.

Marquez said helium was 1 of the fewer Americans astatine this unsocial vantage point.

When the sanction was work aloud, the Italian media turned to him with a nod.

"That was truly chill to spot their excitement and past constituent that towards me," helium said.

As the religion bells rang passim Vatican City, Marquez made a telephone backmost to Fresno to talk with Bishop Joseph Brennan.

His message...

"Our motto successful the Diocese of Fresno is 'always forward,'" Marquez said. "And that is thing maine and him ever accidental to each other, and that was the archetypal happening helium said erstwhile helium answered the phone, 'always forward.'"

In Fresno, religion bells besides rang earlier wide astatine St. John's Cathedral and the doorway was draped successful white.

Father Ferdinand Udeolisa shared a peculiar connection with those who attended, including 1 antheral who said helium was praying for the caller pontiff.

"It was a spot of a surprise." Parishioner James Seith said. "I ever prayed for Pope Francis, and I'll commune for Pope Leo, I'll commune for the church."

Marquez added however peculiar it was to spot the diverseness among the assemblage with flags from aggregate countries, including Mexico, Brazil, and the United States.

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