Pope Leo XIV, first US-born pontiff, marks one year. What Oklahomans think

About a year ago, Emily Dzurisin envisioned a" very holy and conservative, loving and merciful pope," one who could bring unity to the world, and also be a good, strong leader.

"An American pope would be lovely," she added for good measure, after a Mass at St. Monica Catholic Church in Edmond.

Dzurisin's comments came the day before the College of Cardinals were set to enter into the closed-door meeting called the conclave to elect a new pontiff after the death of Pope Francis.

On May 8, 2025, one of her wishes/musings came true when Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, came out onto the balcony to greet the crowd outside St. Peter's Basilica waiting to see who had been elected to the papacy.

Dzurisin, along with several local Catholic religious leaders, were asked to share their views of Pope Leo's first year as pontiff as he marks the first anniversary of his papacy as the first U.S.-born pope. She said she had an inkling that the Chicago native might be chosen as the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

"I knew he was being considered as a possibility so I was rooting for him," she said. 

A Washington Post-ABC-Ipsos poll found that many Americans favor the pontiff. The poll said Pope Leo has a 25-point net favorable margin among Americans overall, with 41% favorable, 16% unfavorable, and 43% saying they have no opinion of the pontiff.

The poll also noted that 66% of Americans have a positive reaction to Pope Leo asking Americans on April 7 to contact Congress to work for peace and reject war, while 57% polled have a negative reaction to President Donald Trump's Truth Social post that read, "I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon."

Among Catholic Americans, 70% had a positive reaction to Pope Leo asking Americans to contact Congress, and 61% were negative toward Trump’s post about the pope and nuclear weapons. Overall, among Catholic Americans who have seen this feud become the most contentious relationship between a secular leader and the papacy dating back to medieval times, the pope's favorability climbs to 61%, the poll said. Just 14% disapprove of the pope, and 25% of those Catholics polled have no opinion.

Dzurisin and other Oklahomans spoke about several aspects of the pope's first year, including his decision to bring back some traditions. The most recent controversy surrounding Pope Leo and his comments that have drawn the ire of Trump wasn't first on their list of talking points, but some touched on a matter that has raised the eyebrows of much of America — Catholic and non-Catholic.

When asked about her views of the first year of Pope Leo's papacy, she chose to focus mostly on his leadership, his calls for unity and his youth.

"Being a relatively young pope at age 70, he is not rushing to make changes but rather is listening to his cardinals with regard to the results of the recent synod and the mission of evangelization," she said. "He will most likely serve many years in his role as pope, which is very refreshing."

Monsignor Rick Stansberry, pastor of Our Lady's Cathedral, said the pope's first year is going well, in his opinion.

"He's kind of restored some of the papal traditions like what he wears, the vestments," Stansberry said. "I don't think his ideology is vastly different from Pope Francis, but I would say he's more open. Whereas Pope Francis could be a little rough around the edges."

On the matter of Trump's anger at the pope over what he deemed to be disparaging remarks coming from the pontiff, Stansberry said he didn't think Pope Leo would personally engage the president.

"I just don't think popes should get in political arguments," the priest said. "I think he would agree with that. I don't think he wants an ongoing feud. It's kind of new territory that's never happened before so I'm sure he doesn't know how to respond."

Sister Maria of the Trinity, a religious sister and founder of the Gospel of Life Dwellings + Disciples (GOLD) ministry, said she would pray for anyone who was elected pope.

"I would pray for them and be grateful for them and know they're carrying a beautiful burden for the sake of the church in the world," she said.

The nun said she was grateful that the pope declared the special jubilee year of St. Francis of Assisi, which she said is a special emphasis on the desire for and the call for peace in the world, "so, I'm praying that Pope Leo's call for peace among nations, among peoples, would be heard and I pray for that peace in all hearts and homes."

Monsignor Don Wolf, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and rector of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, shared comments about what the pope has said in recent months about international affairs.

"What the pope has to say about international affairs, especially with regard to war and peace, I think he hasn't said anything different than any of his successors would have said," Wolf said. "(Popes) John Paul II, Benedict and Francis would have said exactly the same."

The religious leader said what is different is that Pope Leo is from the U.S. so people, particularly Americans, may hear what he says differently than if he was from another part of the world.

"Things sound different when it comes from an American and I think that Americans respond to it different when it comes from an American," Wolf said.

"I think the world responds to it differently — an American talking about American decisions, American policy and an American president. Now, what to make of that is what we're all left to do. You know the pope is doing his best in order to present the teaching of the church and to present the concerns of the world and of the church, to the process and all of the politics involved with regard to war and peace."

CONTRIBUTING: USA Today