How some London Catholics are feeling about the future of the church under Pope Leo XIV [Video]

Only days into his papacy, London’s Catholic faithful are expressing hope and cautious optimism about the future of the Roman Catholic Church under Pope Leo XIV.

The newly-elected pope was chosen by the world’s Catholic cardinals on Thursday to serve as leader of the 1.4-billion-member church, succeeding Pope Francis, who died on April 21.

Formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, the 69-year-old is the first American-born pontiff, hailing from Chicago, but spending much of his career in Peru, including bishop of the diocese in Chiclayo.

Outside St. Peter’s Basilica in downtown London before and after Sunday mass, congregants were of mixed opinion when asked how they hoped Leo would lead the church.

Some told CBC News they hoped the new pope would continue in the vein of his transformational predecessor, while others wanted to see a more traditional approach from the Holy See.