PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WFLA) – Like many other loyal Catholics, Louis Prevast saw with great hopes that white smoke would rise from the Vatican chimney.
The difference between Prevost and everyone else was that his brother was a cardinal of the church and a chance to be elected Pope.
Robert Prebust, American-born Pope Leo XIV
“When they said Robert, I knew right away, Rob was just elected Pope,” Probst said.
His brother, 69-year-old Robert Francis Prevast, was born in Chicago.
He is now known to the world as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in church history.
“I feel from this world,” said Lou Pomblest. “When his name was announced yesterday, I’ve barely come down from the mental explosion yet.”
He said he knew from a very young age the path his brother took.
“I think I’m sure I was sure at the time when he was 5 or 6 years old, me, me, my brother John, my parents knew he was going to be a priest,” Prevost said.
He said he hopes his brother will now become a united state between the conservative and liberal aspects of the church.
“I think his initial goal is to bring these two aspects together,” Prevost said. “He is a great mediator. He knows how to speak wisely with people.
He also hopes that the excitement around the first American pope will bring people back to the Catholic faith.
“The elderly who fell into Catholics, the younger people who raised Catholics but left may also attract Catholics,” Prevost said.
