"Yank Pope" Celebrated Globally - but Not All Americans Are Thrilled
Citizens Celebrate Their Pope with Pride - however, not everyone shares the enthusiasm
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The world is abuzz with the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the new Pope. Surprisingly enough, he's neither an American nor a conservative as some might have wished. President Trump and his vice have extended their congrats, but a notable right-wing voice from Trump's MAGA movement voices disapproval.
Dismay and exhilaration on every platform. US TV channels are as bewildered as the rest of the world: the first Pope hails from Chicago, citizens will say, while South Americans claim: a man from Peru.
The US President is thrilled. "What a privilege to have the first American Pope on our hands," Donald Trump announces on Truth Social. Although not a Catholic himself, Trump anticipates meeting the new Pope, writing: "It'll be an historic moment!"
Profile Trump's Euphoria Over Leo XIV's Election as Pope According to surveys, around 20% of Americans identify as Catholics. Other Christian denominations, especially Protestantism, are more prevalent in the US. The Catholic Church has faced deep crises in the US in recent years, with several abuse scandals emerging - crimes that had been concealed for decades.
"A Worldwide Pope, Not an American One"
The controversy about Pope Leo XIV speaking Spanish in his first address and acknowledging his Peruvian faith community rears its head. A commentator opines: "Leo is poised to be a global Pope, not an American one." This may be irrelevant to American Catholics at this juncture, they believe.
Profile CBS on Leo XIV's Presentation as Not a Trump Supporter A couple from the Illinois municipality, who aren't Catholics themselves but are still ecstatic, are interviewed live on CBS's St. Peter's Square broadcast. They were in Rome anyway, they state, and didn't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event. And then an American Pope too, the man exclaims incredulously, "never thought this would happen!"
Pastor William Lego from Chicago was acquainted with the new Pope back in his days as a young seminarian in Michigan. "I believe my classmate knows what he's doing," he told the "New York Times," sounding surprised: "He's chosen wisely."
"Welcome home soon," the Chicago mayor wrote in a letter. A witty nod to Chicago's cultural influence, saying, "Everything's cool, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!" Leo XIV was born in Chicago in 1955.
"A Pope Similar to Francis"
As recent as February, Robert Prevost shared a piece criticizing JD Vance's comments on Christian love priorities. It seems to have displeased the new Pope.
Vance extends his congratulations nonetheless: "I'm confident millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful tenure at the helm of the Church," he writes to Leo XIV: "God bless him!" Vance converted to Catholicism as an adult and was baptized in 2019.
Celebrity Critiques Loomer Slams Leo XIV as Marxist and Against MAGA Laura Loomer, somewhat of a Trump confidante in the MAGA movement, struggles to comprehend the new Pontiff's background. "Here we have a total Marxist like Pope Francis," she rages. Catholic supporters have no high expectations, she contends. "Just another Marxist puppet in the Vatican."
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk disputes Loomer's claims, asserting that the new Pope is a registered Republican and has voted Republican in the past.
Public Reactions Teddy from New York Relishes Pope's Election Teddy from New York stands on his university plaza, his eyes wide when discussing the new Pope: "I should be studying for an exam," the 55-year-old tells ntv.de, his voice trembling. "But I haven't studied, I've been overwhelmed by the Pope." He's not even religious, but he found the whole thing fascinating.
Symbolic Gesture Veronica from Texas Hails Tradition of White Smoke Veronica from Texas admires the tradition of the rising white smoke, which she finds symbolic of purity and hope. She and her daughter Jessica had watched every day to see if a decision had been made. "An amazing tradition, whoever thought of it."
Unity and Hope In Rome, the fascination of Americans with the Catholic Church unfolds as the CBS reporter wraps up his reporting on St. Peter's Square, awestruck by all the jubilation. He notes, "The Vatican, it's older than 2000 years, older than any person. Much older than the USA. And this institution has deemed: 'Let an American Pope lead, that's the Pope the Church needs.'"
The election of a US-American Pope just a few months after Joe Biden leaves the White House holds a certain irony. Biden is a devout Catholic. After John F. Kennedy, he was only the second Catholic president in US history. The Democrat attends church every weekend. For the funeral of Pope Francis, the 82-year-old and his wife Jill had traveled to Rome. He narrowly missed the historic moment for the USA and American Catholics as President.
Source: ntv.de, lwe/rpe, with dpa
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- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, as the new Pope, Robert Prevost, has shown a strong concern for environmental issues.
- The election of Pope Prevost, who is not an American, has sparked an interesting irony, considering the recent presidency of Joe Biden, a devout Catholic and the second American president to hold the position.
- Despite some right-wing voices expressing disapproval, American Catholics and Christians alike are congratulating Pope Prevost, demonstrating the diversity of religious beliefs and political views within the US.
- The current controversy surrounding Pope Prevost's nationality and language choice highlights the global nature of Catholicism, with the Church reaching beyond political boundaries to create a unifying force for millions of followers worldwide.
