On Thursday, New Yorkers enthusiastically abandoned work to attend St. Patrick's Cathedral in anticipation of the election of the first American pope, Cardinal Robert Frances Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV. The excitement was palpable as many rushed from their offices to celebrate in the iconic Manhattan church. Inspired by the new pontiff's potential impact, attendees expressed hopes that he would reconnect younger generations to the Catholic faith and continue the progressive ideals of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
"I was shouting in the office, everybody was looking at me," said Lauren Smith, 25, an accountant who was eating lunch when she spotted white smoke bursting out of the Vatican's chimney on a live stream, indicating that the conclave had ended less than two days after it kicked off.
"It makes me feel more connected to the Vatican," she said of having an American pontiff, adding she hoped that the newly elected religious figure would inspire young people to turn toward religion.
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