Pope Leo XIV live updates: Cardinal hopes Pope Leo will 'build a bridge' with Trump

Pope Leo XIV celebrates his first Mass on Friday after his historic election as the first North American pope, meeting with the cardinals who chose him to lead the Catholic Church and follow in Pope Francis' social justice-minded footsteps.

Leo, the Chicago-born Augustinian missionary Robert Prevost, surprised the world Thursday when he emerged on the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica as the 267th pontiff, overcoming the traditional prohibition against a pope from the United States.

The 69-year-old wore the traditional red cape - which Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013 - and trappings of the papacy, suggesting a return to some degree of rule-following after Francis' unorthodox pontificate.

Eyewitness News Anchor Joe Torres reports live from the Vatican:

Joe Torres reports live from the Vatican.

What will Pope Leo XIV do? Will he continue the policies of Pope Francis or take the Catholic church in another direction?

Catholics, and community members on Long Island, offered their thoughts on what they hope for most from the new pope.

"More relations with politics without being 'political,' and more inspiration across the divides to help remind leaders that are making the big decisions, who they're making them for," said Community Organizing Director Cristian Murphy.

For example, struggling migrants, and all workers for that matter - who have been looking for reassurance.

"And I think now more than ever, the worker has to be lifted up in all forms," Murphy said.

Another issue is women in the church and their role, which still needs defining. Pope Francis began that process when he asked Dr. Phyllis Zagano at Hofstra University to study it.

"I don't think there's any going back. I think that in American terms, Pope Leo XIV would have the opinion that you hire the most qualified person, and I don't think as a 1977 graduate of an American college, that he would have too much problem with that," Dr. Zagano said.

Does that open the possibility of exploring women becoming deacons? The new pope on Thursday used the phrase "building bridges," which gives them hope.

"He wants the church to be a collaborative, welcoming church," said Sister Mary Ann Cashin of Sisters of St. Joseph.

"American women do have a sense of call in the church and in society, and I don't believe that that has been as used as it should be so far," said Sister Phyllis Esposito of Sisters of St. Joseph.

Stacey Sager reports on the expectations of Catholics from the new pope.

Pope Leo XIV - history-making, the first American Pope. Now, David Muir reports from the Vatican in the breaking, new "20/20" special edition. Watch the premiere of "The American Pope | Leo XIV" tonight at 9/8c on ABC. Stream on Hulu and Disney+

The Empire State Building will shine gold and white on Thursday evening in honor of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope.