DETROIT – As area Catholics mourn Pope Francis’s death, many ask if the next pope could hail from Southwest Detroit.
Names worldwide are circulating, including Cardinal Joseph Tobin of the Archdiocese of Newark.
Who is Cardinal Joe Tobin?
Before climbing the church ranks, he grew up near the corner of Vernor and Junction.
His brother Jim Tobin told Local 4 that he’s the oldest of 13 children and grew up in a Detroit family deeply rooted in the community.
Holy Redeemer served as the backdrop for his baptism and education before attending St. Joseph’s Prep College in Edgerton, Wisconsin.
For a time, Holy Redeemer was one of the largest Catholic churches in the United States, and Tobin spent his formative years there. He attended grade school and played on the football team.
According to Patricia Montemurri, an author and retired journalist who has covered the faith in the region, Tobin joined the Redemptorist order after becoming a priest and studied in Wisconsin.
His first assignment brought him back to Holy Redeemer, where he could connect with his childhood community.
Montemurri first raised the question of whether the cardinal could possibly be the first American pope in 2018.
According to the author, Tobin’s language skills became invaluable as the Southwest Detroit neighborhood transitioned to a more Hispanic demographic in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Despite his experience, does he really have a shot at being the first American pope?
“I think of all the American cardinals, he would be the most suitable candidate, the most appealing candidate,” Montemurri said.
To family and friends, he’s simply Joe
“He does a great job,” said Jim Tobin, his brother. “He’s extremely humble and he’s there to serve the people and that’s the way he’s always been since he was an altar boy at Holy Redeemer.”
The multi-lingual cardinal spent years as a missionary traveling the world. While crisscrossing Latin America, the brother said the cardinal met the man who would become the people’s pope.
“They’re kind of cut out of the same cloth,” Jim Tobin said. “Very humble. Just want to be with people, and they want to help, and that’s what you saw with Francis.”
The pair became close confidants as the late pope promoted Cardinal Tobin several times, including to his current position.
Cardinal Tobin is just as passionate about immigration and inclusivity in the church as Francis.
But he’s not your typical cardinal as seen here in a New York Times article powerlifting with a du-rag.
While at the Vatican, Detroit’s son always wore his Motor City sports apparel.
Whatever may happen, his family believes the cardinal will serve the church and community wherever he’s assigned.
“My parents would be very, very proud,” Jim Tobin said. “Yeah, they would be.”
