The first Latino President of the US Bishops

LOS ANGELES - There was a standing ovation for the newly elected president of the US Bishops on Tuesday in Baltimore. It’s a story national in scope, but with Archbishop Jose Gomez’s ascension, it was also a local story. Gomez leads the sprawling Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which is the largest Catholic Archdiocese in the nation. His new role signals the future direction of the American Catholic Church. 

Twitter user Pablo Kay posted video of the standing ovation moments after Archbishop Gomez was elected.

Gomez also became the first Latino ever elected to lead the U.S. Bishops.

FOX 11's Laura Diaz chatted with Gomez right after his selection. He said he was “overwhelmed by the decision of his brother bishops."

The Mexican immigrant was handed a mandate when he garnered 3/4 of the vote. 

With Latinos making up over 70% of the LA Archdiocese and immigration raging as a hot button issue in an election year, the Catholic Church has signaled it will jump into the heated discourse. 

Gomez said, “We need to explain who the immigrants are and how important they are to our country." 

Despite an already packed schedule and with new duties as leader of the US bishops, Gomez said he would carry on “as usual” in the LA Archdiocese, giving mass this Sunday.

On Tuesday, Gomez said a special prayer to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of the Americas, for guidance. Perhaps his prayer was already answered.