PHOTOS: Denver Cathedral Prays for Pope Leo XIV Hours After His Election

Father Sam Morehead preaches during a special Mass for newly elected Pope Leo XIV. (Photo: Morgan Knobloch)

Hours after the white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, Father Samuel Morehead, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated a Mass for the newly elected Pope Leo XIV at the archdiocese’s epicenter.

The readings used for this special Mass, taken from the Gospel of Matthew, recall the confession of the first pope, St. Peter, in response to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). When St. Peter replies, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), Jesus blesses him and bestows on him a new name upon which the church will be built. Today in Rome, Christ's promise to St. Peter continues through the appointment of Pope Leo XIV.

In his homily, Father Morehead noted the connection passed from St. Peter to the new Pope Leo XIV and the Church’s need for a shepherd to guide her in the way of Christ.

“For there was a new name given today in Rome by another who has confessed Christ,” Father Morehead said. “After having our eyes glued to a smokestack on TV, we have a pope. We have a father, a holy father in faith who can lead us and guide us.”

Father Sam Morehead celebrated a special Mass for newly-elected Pope Leo XIV on Thursday.

Father Sam Morehead celebrates Mass for newly-elected Pope Leo XIV.

Faithful kneel before the altar of the Sacred Heart, where Pope Francis' memorial was set up.

Father Sam Morehead preaches during a special Mass for newly elected Pope Leo XIV.

Faithful gathered in prayer for newly elected Pope Leo XIV on Thursday.

The umbrellino, a symbol of papal connection, is now reopened at the Cathedral.

Faithful gathered at the Cathedral Basilica to pray for newly-elected Pope Leo XIV.

(Photos by Morgan Knobloch)

Formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago and served as the Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru before he was created a cardinal in 2024.

“What struck us all here, in the middle of America,” Father Morehead said, “is that he is an American with us. My next instantaneous thought was ‘From the heartland to the heart of the Church.’ That's the hope you've got; born in Chicagoland, but growing up not too far all things considered, from where we are here today in Denver.”

Along with the surprise of the new pope’s background, Father Morehead noted his Augustinian formation and missionary experience, as he urged the faithful to pray for his pontificate.

“Having been called by God through the cardinals, having assumed the name Leo, he finds himself in Rome,” Father Morehead said. “There to be pope, there to be bishop of the city, there, to be the successor of St. Peter, the 267th of that type of name, and he is to lead Christ's walk through the Universal Church, now.”