Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul officially welcome Pope Leo XVI with special Mass

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Mass of Thanksgiving was held at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence Monday afternoon to officially welcome Pope Leo XVI.

“The Mass is very, very important because it’s the perfect prayer, “East Greenwich resident Thomas Bruzzese said.

Pope Leo XVI is the first American to serve as pope.

“This is such a beautiful thing. This was the Holy Spirit helping the United States,” Bruzzese said.

Parishioners like Bruzzese were excited to welcome the new pope, as well as the monsignor who lead Monday’s mass.

“He is a missionary and he was in Peru for many years, and he has varied experience and speaks well,” Monsignor Anthony Mancini said.

He added the pope’s election is a win for the American Catholic community.

“This is sort of a feather in the cap for American Catholics,” Mancini said. “It’s a recognition of the faith of the people in this country.”