One year after the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, Archbishop Ronald Hicks is reflecting on the moment the first American pope stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Archbishop Hicks recalls exactly where he was when white smoke signaled the election of a new Holy Father.

“I was in Omaha, Nebraska… and all of a sudden the television started flashing with the white smoke,” Archbishop Hicks said. “I had such a feeling of anticipation. Who is it going to be?”

That anticipation quickly turned to amazement when Pope Leo XIV appeared.

“This man… his house was 14 blocks from my house where we grew up… this American, this missionary… they said an American would never become pope,” Archbishop Hicks said. “With God all things are possible.”

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The news sparked excitement far beyond Rome, even mid-flight as then-Bishop Hicks traveled home.

“Everyone on the flight was buzzing… asking questions about this new pope,” he said. “The whole world was rejoicing.”

One year later, that excitement hasn’t faded.

“We have a Church that’s still alive and relevant… to see such interest in the election of our new leader at that time continues to be a beautiful thing,” he said.

Archbishop Hicks had encountered the future pope before his election. In August 2024, at a parish in the Diocese of Joliet, then-Cardinal Robert Prevost led an evening of reflection and Mass focused on the Church and Pope Francis.

“I walked away thinking… here’s a leader in our Church who is faith-filled, smart, and able to take very complex ideas and explain them in a way that makes sense,” Archbishop Hicks said.

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Now, one year into the pontificate, Archbishop Hicks sees both continuity and a distinct personal style in Pope Leo XIV’s leadership.

“He’s in many ways an extension of Pope Francis… there’s a continuity,” Archbishop Hicks said. “But stylistically, there’s a difference… and I think that’s a good thing.”

As the Church marks this milestone, Archbishop Hicks offered a message to Pope Leo:

“Congratulations. We love you… and may he continue to lead us and guide us. We are right behind him.”