In a historic event on Thursday, May 8, Robert Francis Prevost was elected the first-ever American pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. Traditionally, the College of Cardinals has been reluctant to choose a leader from a global superpower, making an American pope long seen as nearly impossible.
According to The Hill, when white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the secret conclave had selected a new pontiff after just two days, global anticipation surged. As Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican to deliver his first address, news that “an American has become pope” spread across the United States with astonishing speed.
American cable and network news channels quickly shifted to rolling coverage, broadcasting the scenes in Rome as tens of thousands cheered, prayed, and wept during the new pope’s address. On social media, American Catholics expressed pride, while U.S. political leaders issued statements congratulating the Church on welcoming a historic new leader.
David Lantigua, co-director of the Center for U.S. Catholic Studies at the University of Notre Dame, commented that Pope Leo XIV’s native English would make it easier for him to communicate with the American Church and build trust among U.S. Catholics. “While he will likely face heightened scrutiny, I don’t expect Leo XIV to back down on key Church priorities like defending the dignity of the poor and marginalized,” Lantigua said.
Former President Donald Trump called the American pope “a source of pride.” Trump congratulated Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost on his election, saying, “What an honor — he is the first American pope!” He added that he looks forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV, calling it “a moment of great significance.”
Notably, though Prevost is a registered Republican, he has been a long-standing critic of Trump’s harsh immigration policies. Just last month, Prevost retweeted a post condemning the Trump administration’s unjust deportation actions. Nonetheless, both Trump and Senator J.D. Vance issued public congratulations to the first American pope today. Trump even made a rare appearance outside the Oval Office, telling the press that Prevost’s election was “an honor for America.”
Daniel Rober, chair of the Department of Catholic Studies at Sacred Heart University, remarked: “Clearly, many Americans will feel pride in seeing a fellow countryman elected pope — something once almost unimaginable in U.S. history. On the other hand, I believe his stances on international affairs will likely continue along the lines of Pope Francis, and we can expect continued tensions with the Trump administration and some American bishops.”
Pope Leo XIV, now 69, was born in Chicago and spent much of his Church career working in Peru. He is an Augustinian friar and graduated from Villanova University in 1977. According to The South Cook News, he grew up in Dolton, Illinois, where his father, Louis Prevost, served as superintendent of the Glenwood school district, and his mother, Millie Prevost, worked as a librarian.
