Washington
‘A monumental day’: Catholics in Washington embrace the first US-born pope
Many Catholics said they see Pope Leo XIV as a humble leader who will strive to unite the church and stand up for the poor as well as immigrants.
Experts on the significance of the new pope choosing the name Leo XIV
Experts say a papal name can give you clues about the new pontiff’s values and priorities. What does choosing Leo XIV tell them?
WASHINGTON – Across the nation’s capital, Catholics joyously welcomed the news of the church’s first U.S.-born pope.
“I never thought in my lifetime I would see an American pope,” said Rev. Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, the director of St. Matthew’s Cathedral. “Today is an extremely joyful day.”
On May 8, the most senior figure in the Roman Catholic Church chose Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost to be the 267th pope just one day after the papal conclave commenced. Originally from Chicago, the 69-year-old served more than four decades as a missionary and a bishop in Peru, where he became a naturalized citizen.
The new pontiff, who chose the name Leo XIV, was not among the favorites to succeed Pope Francis, who died last month at the age of 88. Still, his selection was a welcomed surprise for many Washingtonians.
Jameson, who leads operations at the mother church of the archbishop of Washington, said the announcement of Pope Leo XIV “totally shocked” him. Leo’s ascension to the top of the Catholic Church was a surprise, Jameson said, because being a U.S. citizen was long considered a barrier to the papacy.
The monsignor anticipates the new pontiff will pick up where Francis left off, advocating for the poor and for immigrants and pushing for unity, peace and inclusivity.
“He is someone who will continue the work of Francis and, for me, that’s very important,” Jameson said, watching as a crew of maintenance workers traded the black bunting with a vibrant white and gold draping to commemorate a new pope with the colors of the Holy See.
When Gabby Innamorato and some of her coworkers heard the cardinals had selected a new pope, she rushed out of her office and headed into St. Matthew’s Cathedral across the street.
Innamorato, who works at a nonprofit, said she was unfamiliar with the new pontiff’s name as she was hoping for Luis Antonio Tagle, of the Philippines, to succeed Francis. But, after listening to Pope Leo XIV’s first words from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, she feels hopeful that the new leader of the Catholic Church, like Francis, will be “a man of the people.”
“This is a surprise, but not in a bad way,” she said. “I just did not expect it.”
Lucero Rossi, 36, said Leo was the kind of pope she has been praying for since Francis’ death.
To Rossi, who was born in Mexico but works in the U.S. as an economist, the issues that matter most are immigration and the environment. And in the short time she’s spent reading up on Leo’s statements, she believes he will follow in his predecessor’s footsteps and push for progress on both issues.
“He seems to have a very pro-immigrant agenda,” she said, “so I am very happy about that.”
Rossi watched as he made his first public appearance at St. Peter’s Basilica, opening in Italian with “Peace be with you all.” But what stuck out most of all was the moment he greeted his diocese in Chicago and Peru in Spanish – not English.
“I really loved that,” she said. “That was an embrace of the Latin American world.”
Isaac Sagastume, an ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Washington, said “it’s a very exciting time for the church in the United States.”
Sagastume, who announced to a roaring applause at the start of the afternoon mass that white smoke could be seen emanating from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel – indicating a new pope had been chosen. He said Leo is a leader well suited to deal with the world’s many current affiliations.
“He was a candidate that had experience of the church in the U.S., but also in Latin America and the church at large,” said Sagastume.
Standing outside the church where he briefly met Pope Francis in 2016, Sagastume said Francis “set a path” for Leo and he hopes to see a “pastoral continuation” from the new head of the Vatican.
U.S. politicians also chimed in with well wishes and kind words for the new pontiff. Speaking to the media, President Donald Trump said “To have the Pope from America is a great honor.”
Rep. Robert Garcia, the first Peruvian-American member of Congress, said on X that he wishes Leo “strength as he steps into his role as a global and spiritual leader.”
“He has demonstrated that he believes in justice for the poor and immigrants,” Garcia said. “May his leadership reflect these ideals as he spreads peace across the world.”
Hours after Leo made his first formal greeting as the new pope, a crowd of faithful Catholics filled the pews at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Catholic church in North America.
As the evening mass began, Rev. Msgr. Vito A. Buonanno, pronounced “He’s American!” to a thunderous roar of applause. “I never thought I’d live to see it,” he added.
Catherine and Steven Miggemeier attended the mass after a more than four hour drive from Long Island, New York. They came to Washington to pick up their daughter, a sophomore at Catholic University of America, and decided to drop into the nearby church to mark the historic day.
The lifelong Catholics said they hope Leo will bring more people to the Catholic faith and show, as Francis did, that “the church is open to everyone.”
Catherine Miggemeier, who was in New York when Francis made his only U.S. visit in 2015, also said she hopes Leo will soon return to his native land and make several appearances across North America. Until then, she said she will embrace the excitement of a new representative of God on Earth.
“This is a monumental day,” she said.
This story was updated to correct a typo.
Crews are on the scene of a serious crash on I-95 South in Stafford, Virginia.
Virginia State Police confirmed the crash was fatal but has not yet confirmed how many fatalities there were.
All southbound lanes are closed at mile marker 146.
Traffic is being diverted to Route 1 at exit 148.
This is a developing story. Stay with News4 and nbcwashington.com for updates.
Washington
Sounders FC, Starbucks and Washington Youth Soccer launch Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass to celebrate the next generation of soccer across the Evergreen State | Seattle Sounders
RENTON, WASH. – Sounders FC, in partnership with Starbucks and Washington Youth Soccer, today announced the launch of the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass, a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative designed to inspire the next generation of young athletes across the Evergreen State. As the sport reaches a defining moment across North America, the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass invites every registered Washington Youth Soccer athlete aged 18 and under to receive a complimentary ticket to select home matches this season, connecting young players and their families across Washington to the heart of Sounders FC matchdays and Pacific Northwest soccer culture.
More than a ticket initiative, the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass is rooted in a shared belief that soccer belongs to everyone who plays it. With over 90,000 registered Washington Youth Soccer athletes eligible for the program – which includes access to additional discounted tickets for friends and family members – the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass celebrates those that continue to shape the sport’s strong foundation across the state. Coming at a significant moment for soccer in the region, with Seattle hosting six matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ this summer, Sounders FC and its partners are joining together to invest in the players, families, clubs and communities that fuel the game year-round.
“The Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass is about recognizing that every young player across Washington is already part of the story of this club,” said Sounders FC President of Business Operations Hugh Weber. “The Sounders are not just Seattle’s club – it’s Washington’s soccer club. Many of the players who wear our crest today, including Jordan Morris, Paul Rothrock and Jackson Ragen, grew up playing in Washington Youth Soccer. Their journeys are proof that the connection between local soccer communities and Sounders FC is real, lasting and deeply rooted.”
The program is available for the Rave Green’s final 12 MLS regular-season and Leagues Cup home matches of the 2026 campaign, beginning with Seattle’s first contest after the 2026 FIFA World Cup break against archrival Portland Timbers on Thursday, July 16 (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, FS1, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM). Eligible Washington Youth Soccer athletes can access the offer through a **dedicated online portal** using their WYS Player ID.
With Seattle as its hometown, Starbucks is deeply rooted in communities across Washington and beyond. Starbucks serves as the initiative’s founding partner to make professional soccer more accessible for families throughout the season. A longtime Sounders FC partner, Starbucks joins the club in its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for youth athletes and their families across Washington, reinforcing shared values of community, connection and access to the game.
“We are proud to partner with Sounders FC and Washington Youth Soccer to expand our support for youth soccer across our hometown of Seattle and communities across Washington,” said Starbucks Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Erin Silvoy. “At Starbucks, we believe sports are a powerful force for connection, that brings people together through shared rituals and moments of joy. By helping more youth experience soccer first-hand, we hope to inspire the next generation while supporting the athletes, coaches and families who make our communities stronger.”
Founded in 1961, Washington Youth Soccer is one of the region’s leading youth sports organizations, helping shape generations of players and families through recreational and competitive opportunities across the state for more than 60 years. Affiliated with U.S. Youth Soccer, U.S. Soccer and FIFA, Washington Youth Soccer works alongside nearly 200 member clubs and local associations to help grow and strengthen the game at every level, creating accessible pathways and enriching experiences for youth athletes and their families throughout Washington.
”We see this partnership as a catalyst to inspire the next generation of youth soccer players,” said Washington Youth Soccer Executive Director Roger Levesque. “There is something unique about attending a Sounders match at Lumen Field – the sights, sounds and world-class soccer all contribute to a goose bump-inducing experience. But the true inspiration comes from living the highs and lows of a match together, alongside family, friends and thousands of fans, who for 90 minutes, are all on the same team. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Sounders FC and Starbucks to bring this experience and the joy of soccer to the Washington Youth Soccer community.”
MLS is currently amid an extended break from play for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, with Seattle returning to action on Thursday, July 16 against the Portland Timbers on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM).
ABOUT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Born in 1974 and a member of Major League Soccer since 2009, Seattle Sounders FC is one of North America’s leading professional soccer organizations. The club has captured nine major trophies since its inaugural MLS season, and following its Leagues Cup victory in 2025, Seattle became the first team in U.S. soccer history to win every major competition (Concacaf Champions Cup, MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup). Since the club’s MLS debut, Sounders fans have set the standard for soccer support in North America, leading the league in attendance for eight-consecutive seasons (2009-2016), routinely ranking in the global top 30 among all professional clubs and never finishing outside of MLS’ top three.
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to responsibly sourcing and roasting hi-quality arabica coffee. Today, with a global footprint of more than 41,000 company-operated and licensed coffeehouses and a growing presence in consumer-packaged goods, we are the world’s premier purveyor of specialty coffee. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or www.starbucks.com.
ABOUT WASHINGTON YOUTH SOCCER
Washington Youth Soccer (WYS) is the largest youth sports organization in Washington State, serving more than 90,000 players through a network of over 200 member associations and clubs statewide. WYS is committed to fostering the physical, mental, and emotional growth of youth through the game of soccer by creating opportunities for players of all backgrounds and ability levels to learn, compete, and thrive. Through leagues, tournaments, player development programs, coaching education, community partnerships, and initiatives supported by the Washington Youth Soccer Foundation, WYS works to grow the game and create meaningful experiences for young athletes across Washington.
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