Surprise, excitement and anticipation characterize what many Colorado Springs Catholics felt on Thursday, as white smoke from the papal conclave signaled that American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been chosen as the next leader of the church.

“When you look at his background, he really has a lot of what a pope needs,” said Lucas Pollice, director of new evangelization and missionary discipleship for the Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs.

WATCH: Robert Prevost makes first appearance after being named Pope Leo XIV

Having been a missionary in Latin America, bishop of one of the largest dioceses in Peru, head of the Augustinian order of priests and adviser of bishop selection to his predecessor, Pope Francis, the new Pope Leo XIV possesses a world view of the faith, Pollice said.

“That an American was elected pope is something I didn’t think would happen for a long time,” he said. “But Pope Leo XIV brings all this experience to the papacy, to being pope of the universal church.”

Bishop James Golka, who leads the Diocese of Colorado Springs, said in a statement that he welcomes the Catholic church’s 267th pope, calling it “remarkable” that he’s from the United States.

“I trust that the grace of the Holy Spirit was at work during this process,” Golka said. “It is a truly historic and beautiful moment when a new Vicar of Christ is chosen to continue the unbroken line of apostolic authority that stretches back more than 2,000 years.”

Robert Prevost, first pope from US in history of the Catholic Church, takes the name Leo XIV

Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, some local Catholics expressed hope that the next pope would be a traditionalist and others said they wanted to see progression in the church on contemporary issues. 

But “time will tell,” Pollice said, in terms of how Pope Leo XIV will navigate the difficult waters of religion, politics and church teaching in modern society.

While addressing the faithful for the first time Thursday, the new pope echoed familiar themes.

“He spoke of some themes of the Francis papacy: that the church should be missionary, that God loves all people, and that the church needs to be in dialogue with the rest of the world,” Pollice said.

“That’s a very Catholic thing — not progressive or traditional — as that is the church’s mission to evangelize and bring Christ to everyone in the world.”

Pope Leo XIV also focused on the church’s social teachings in how the church can be a force in the way of society and the dignity of the human person, Pollice said.

“I think that tells us our new pope is concerned about promoting human dignity and bringing the gospel into society and how the church can be a light in our modern world,” he said.

Robert Prevost elected as the first American pope: Gov. Polis reaction

Whether the pope will be traditional or progressive, he most certainly will “strive to be faithful to what is Catholic,” Pollice said. “That is his role as successor of Peter.”

His selection of taking the name of Pope Leo XIV also is interesting because Pope Leo XIII was influential during his office from 1878 to 1903, Pollice said, embracing social communications and allowing filming for the first time. 

The newborn pope wore more traditional garb when speaking to the masses Thursday, compared with Pope Francis, who wore a plain white cassock.

The 69-year-old primarily spoke in Italian and addressed his followers in Peru in Spanish. He did not speak in English.

“He’s saying, ‘Yes, I am American,’ but I think he was making a point that ‘I am the pope of the universal church,’ and he’s going to be leading and guiding the church with the whole world in mind,” Pollice said.

Pope Leo XIV also was visibly emotional during his inaugural appearance announcing his election.

“He seemed in a real and humble way to feel the weight of the office,” said Pollice, who watched the event together with other employees in the local diocesan office. “I think that’s what anybody who takes on this office should feel.”