DES MOINES, Iowa — Bishop William Joensen with the Des Moines Diocese shared his reaction to the selection of a new pope at a meeting Thursday afternoon.

Joensen said that Pope Leo XIV will bring unity to the catholic church.

“And so may be that unifying figure that I know Pope Francis and his predecessors aspired to be. But maybe now, as one from the Midwest, we like to think that we kind of can carry that balance between the coasts and now, you know, on a global perspective that Pope Leo will bring that charism to the church, unity within the church, larger unity and a social and, God willing, peace on a geopolitical scale as well to be an ambassador of peace,” Joensen said.

Joensen hopes that Pope Leo XIV’s American roots will help attract young people to the church.

“We would certainly hope that it would light a fire as we were looking for, you know, to, again, appeal to our young people in particular. But to, I think, capture their imaginations and their intention that though we are a universal church, is very much a church that is presented as one of the nations who the faithful are among the world’s most populous Catholic countries,” Joensen said.

Joensen also hopes that Pope Leo XIV will visit Iowa.

“Oh, absolutely. You know, we want to bring him here as soon as we can. You know, I think that would just be electric and you know that it’ll be interesting. What would be his emphasis as he comes here and what would he care to do? But may he make a visit to Chicago?” Joensen said.

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