Carolina Beach Catholics Celebrate Historic Election of First American Pope

"It's a new journey. It's a new thing we're going to be learning."

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) –Many Catholics around the globe are excited about the incoming Pope, including here locally — in Carolina Beach.

At Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Carolina Beach, Faith Formation Director Gina Drost says the announcement of a new Pope is sparking excitement and hope for the future of the Catholic Church.

“It is very exciting,” Drost said. “Anytime there’s a new Pope, it’s always exciting. It’s a new journey. It’s a new thing we’re going to be learning.”

Plumes of white smoke flowed through the Sistine Chapel’s chimney Thursday afternoon, indicating a new pope had been chosen. He’s Pope Leo XIV, and he’s from the United States, the first time in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history.

“We’re as spiritual. We’re as committed. We’re as dedicated as everyone else in the world. We have some wonderful Bishops. Why wouldn’t we have one from America? It’s just a matter of who God chooses,” Drost said.

Drost says it was a bittersweet moment for the Catholic community hearing the news that Pope Francis died.

“It was two-fold. It was sad because he was just a wonderful Pope, but it was also joyous because he died the morning after Easter. As sad as it is, all we can think about is him being welcomed in the opening arms of Christ.”

While there wasn’t a service taking place during our visit, it’s clear that this moment is a fresh chapter for the Catholic community — locally and globally.

“Each one brings us something else, and it’s always welcomed, and it’s always joyful and just a wonderful time in the church,” Drost said.