"American with a Global Vibe" - The Pope: Leo XIV Ascending Thrones
U.S. residents express pride towards their religious leader, yet not universally appreciative of the Papal institution as a whole.
More Info Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link In the United States, the media is taken aback by the new Pope's election. He's not the conservative, homegrown personality they desired. President Trump and his vice congratulate him. Moreover, a key voice from the MAGA movement grumbles.
Shock and excitement fill the airwaves. American television stations mirror the world's astonishment: Cardinal Robert Prevost, hailing from the Chicago suburbs, is our new Pope - a first for our country. A Vatican TV pundit cheekily remarks, "Well, they'll say he's a man from Chicago. South Americans? A man from Peru."
The U.S. President is excited too. "It's an honor to welcome the first American Pope!" Donald Trump posts on Truth Social. Despite being non-Catholic, he anticipates meeting the new Pope: "It'll be a momentous occasion!"
Stateside Sentiments Trump Delighted With Leo XIV's Election as Pope According to polls, about 20% of Americans identify as Catholic. Protestantism, the dominant Christian denomination in the U.S., has faced significant crises in recent years, including several scandal exposés relating to abuse that were covered up for decades.
"A Global Pontiff, Not American-Born"
Some pundits insist that Pope Leo XIV, who spoke Spanish in his first public address, highlighted his Peruvian roots. A commentator believes Leo will promote a global perspective, rather than focusing on America. American Catholics may find this unimportant at present, she opines.
CBS Analyst: Pope "Probably No Supporter" of Trump In Illinois, CBS is live on St. Peter's Square, interviewing an American couple. They're not Catholics, but still thrilled: They were already in Rome, they say, and didn't want to miss this historic moment. An excited man laughs, "Never thought I'd see an American Pope!"
Pastor William Lego from Chicago knew Leo when he was a young seminarian in Michigan. "I firmly believe my former classmate understands the position," he told the New York Times. He expressed surprise: "You've picked a good man."
Chicago's Mascot: From Slam Dunks to the Pope! Chicago's mayor welcomed Leo XIV with a jovial tweet: "Everything cool, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!" Leo was born there in 1955.
"Marxist Puppet, or a New Breed?"
In February, Robert Prevost shared an article online criticizing Trump's close aide: US Vice JD Vance had misconstrued Jesus' teachings, it alleged. Vance issued congratulations nonetheless, wishing Leo XIV success: "Millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful tenure at the helm of the Church," he wrote. Vance converted to Catholicism as an adult and was baptized in 2019.
MAGA Movement Wonders: Who is Pope Leo XIV? The right-wing influencer Laura Loomer, known as a Trump confidant within the MAGA circle, seems puzzled about the new Pontiff. "He's against Trump, against MAGA, for open borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis," she rants. Meanwhile, conservative activist Charlie Kirk argues that the new Pope is a registered Republican and consistently votes Republican.
New Yorker Teddy, a Non-Believer, Is Enthralled Teddy, a 55-year-old from New York, stands on his university's plaza, beaming about the new Pope: "I should be studying for an exam," he tells ntv.de, his voice shaking. "But I didn't study, I was captivated by the Pope."
White Smoke: Purity, Hope, and the New Pope Veronica from Texas finds the rising white smoke a symbol of both purity and hope: She and her daughter Jessica watched daily to see if a decision had been made. "A magnificent tradition, whoever came up with it."
The New Pope: What the Church Needs? In Rome, the fascination of Americans with the Catholic Church comes to life through the CBS reporter bidding farewell following the jubilation on St. Peter's Square. Somberly, he reflects, "This - he sweeps his arm - the Vatican, it's older than 2000 years, older than any person. Much older than the USA. And this institution has decreed: 'An American Pope, that's the Pope the Church needs.'"
Impact of Pope Leo XIV's Election The election of Pope Leo XIV, a few months after Joe Biden left the White House, carries a bittersweet irony. Biden is a devout Catholic and, like John F. Kennedy, only the second Catholic president in U.S. history. The Democrat attends church every weekend. For Pope Francis' funeral, the 82-year-old and his wife Jill journeyed to Rome. Regrettably, they missed the historical moment for the U.S. and American Catholics as President.
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, considering the impact of the Pope's global influence on various sectors, such as politics, pop-culture, general-news, and crime-and-justice.
- Social media is filled with discussions about the new Pope, with celebrities and ordinary citizens alike expressing their thoughts and opinions on the election of the first American Pope, Pope Leo XIV.
- In the midst of the political discourse, some Americans find common ground in their shared excitement over the election, regardless of their religious affiliation or political leanings.
- While the MAGA movement expresses concerns about the new Pope's political stance and alleged alignments, other conservatives question the accusations and point to his records of voting as evidence of his Republican leanings.
- As the world watches the unfolding events in Rome, some observers see the election of Pope Leo XIV as a demonstration of the growing influence of the American Catholic community in the global stage.
- Pope Leo XIV's election as the first American Pope has sparked renewed interest and debate about the role of religion and spirituality in American society and its impact on national and international affairs.
