Pope Leo XIV is vowing to actively promote and protect the spirituality and traditions of the eastern rite churches, those Catholic communities with origins in the Middle East and North Africa that have been decimated by conflict and persecution.

Most Holy Rosary Church Pastor Father Fred Mannara said he was astounded to see the new Pope, Leo XIV, be from America.

The U.S.-born pontiff served in Peru for decades, and Arizonans from the South American country think he was shaped for the better by his time there.