Today, Sunday April 12, I went to church as usual.  Today’s Mass was in a new venue, still at Basilica of St. Mary  in Minneapolis, but today, and for the next 48 Sundays, the sanctuary is the church undercroft (basement) as the 100 year old sanctuary, and the church generally, is being renovated.

I’m a regular at Basilica, and I wasn’t sure what to expect today.  The venue was packed, many more than I thought I’d see.

The Priests homily (sermon) today was very similar in tone to Pope Leo’s Easter. message on peace, focusing on what is happening in the Middle East and the immigrant situation in our own country.

A few hours later 60 Minutes lead story involved three U.S. Catholic Cardinals, reflecting positively on Pope Leo’s position.

This church of mine is no monolith where everyone thinks alike – Moree voted for DJT than for Kamala Harris in 2020.  The recent Popes have by no means been “cookie cutter” leaders of this church which is said to have 1.4 billion members worldwide.  John Paul II, Benedict, Francis and now Leo, the first U.S. Pope, made their mark in different ways.

What the designated leader says is very important, setting the tone, as it were, for the institution he has been selected baby his peers to lead.

What transpires down the road is not yet known.  But the first signs are hopeful.