In CNN interview Bishop O’Connell shares insights on newly elected Pope Leo XIV
May 9, 2025 at 2:37 p.m.
The day after Pope Leo XIV was elected to the papacy, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was interviewed for a May 9 segment on CNN’s The Situation Room.
During the interview with Wolf Blitzer, co-anchor of The Situation Room, Bishop O’Connell fielded questions and offered observations of the Holy Father and the direction he believes the Pope has for the future of the Church; the reason for the Holy Father’s choosing the name Leo and what it says about his priorities, and political challenges the Holy Father is likely to encounter in his papacy, namely the immigration issue and his being the first pope from the United States to be elected.
Watch Bishop's interview below.
After acknowledging that he was surprised by the appointment of an American cardinal to the papacy, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the influence he believes that the Holy Father’s background as a religious order priest might have on his new position.
“Anyone who is a religious, bring with them the charism and the spirit of their order to their position,” Bishop O’Connell said. “Pope Francis did that as a Jesuit and now Pope Leo will do that as an Augustinian.”
Bishop O’Connell added that he found the Holy Father’s first message to the world to be “very comforting and consoling.”
“He was offering to the world peace, and he was asking the world to be welcoming and loving toward everyone. I think that’s a very good message, that’s a good way to start,” said Bishop O’Connell.
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The day after Pope Leo XIV was elected to the papacy, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was interviewed for a May 9 segment on CNN’s The Situation Room.
During the interview with Wolf Blitzer, co-anchor of The Situation Room, Bishop O’Connell fielded questions and offered observations of the Holy Father and the direction he believes the Pope has for the future of the Church; the reason for the Holy Father’s choosing the name Leo and what it says about his priorities, and political challenges the Holy Father is likely to encounter in his papacy, namely the immigration issue and his being the first pope from the United States to be elected.
Watch Bishop's interview below.
After acknowledging that he was surprised by the appointment of an American cardinal to the papacy, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the influence he believes that the Holy Father’s background as a religious order priest might have on his new position.
“Anyone who is a religious, bring with them the charism and the spirit of their order to their position,” Bishop O’Connell said. “Pope Francis did that as a Jesuit and now Pope Leo will do that as an Augustinian.”
Bishop O’Connell added that he found the Holy Father’s first message to the world to be “very comforting and consoling.”
“He was offering to the world peace, and he was asking the world to be welcoming and loving toward everyone. I think that’s a very good message, that’s a good way to start,” said Bishop O’Connell.