'A wild day': Father Brian O’Brien Reflects on Tulsa’s Connection to First American Pope

Excitement is sweeping the globe and the city of Tulsa after the election of the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV, who has personal connections to the local Catholic community.

Father Brian O'Brien of Holy Family Cathedral joined News On 6 to share his reaction to the historic moment and what it meant for the church and the city.

'A Wild Day' at Holy Family Cathedral

"Yeah, it was a wild day at over at Holy Family Cathedral, 8th and Boulder," O’Brien said. "We have a school, and so we kind of walked through the hallways of the school, ringing a bell, getting the kids notified that a new pope had been elected."

At the time, they didn't yet know who had been chosen.

"We gathered them all together, kind of in the lower level, put it up on the big screen and kind of had a little papal pep rally," he said. "It was awesome, filled with joy and just cheering and high-pitched screaming."

Tulsa Connection to the New Pope

What made the moment even more meaningful for Tulsa Catholics was the revelation that Pope Leo XIV once served as a board member for Cascia Hall, a local Augustinian Catholic high school.

"So he never lived here, as far as I know, never lived here, but served on the board of one of our local Catholic high schools and so has been here," O'Brien said. "So, I mean, I think we could say with some certainty the first pope of the 267 popes that we've had that has ever been to Tulsa."

A Global Background Played a Role

While many are celebrating the historic election of an American pope, O'Brien said Leo XIV's international background may have played a larger role in his selection by the Conclave.

"I think that's a piece, but I think what's interesting about Pope Leo the 14th is that he is a very international figure," he said. "Born and raised in Chicago, has been all over the United States, but then also served for many years as a bishop in Peru. So has a South American influence. And then the last several years has been living in Italy. And actually went to graduate school in Italy."

He added, "So I think if someone was specifically American, only lived in America, I don't think that's an attractive option. But this guy, Pope Leo, has an international dimension to him, multiple languages and knows culture."

Similar Heart, Different Tone From Pope Francis

Pope Leo XIV, who is 69, succeeds Pope Francis. While both are considered progressive figures within the Catholic Church, O'Brien said there are differences in approach.

"I think in many ways they're of the same mind on a lot of things," he said. "But I think what we'll also see in Pope Leo is maybe—I think he'll be more measured… I think Pope Francis, in a beautiful way, was just very expressive. And sometimes that can get you in a little trouble… Pope Leo the 14th will be of that same heart… but then also will, I think, be a little more measured in how he speaks about things."

What It Means to Be Augustinian

Unlike Pope Francis, who was a Jesuit, Pope Leo is an Augustinian priest. O'Brien said that distinction matters.

"An Augustinian is a kind of Catholic priest, and they follow the teachings and writings and philosophy of Saint Augustine," he said. "What I love about Saint Augustine is he kind of lived a rough life, made a lot of poor decisions, but then found the Lord Jesus Christ and his life changed dramatically. And so that’s something I think that God is asking of us… we can go in a different direction."

Special Mass Planned At Holy Family Cathedral

To mark the historic moment, the Tulsa Catholic community is holding a special Mass at Holy Family Cathedral.

It will be on Friday at 6 p.m. Bishop Konderla will meet at Holy Family Cathedral on 8th Street and Boulder Ave. and will be open to everyone.