"The First American Pope: Leo XIV Takes the Throne"
U.S. takes pride in its Pontiff, yet not universally accepted
In the United States, the election of the new Pope has caused quite a stir. Cardinal Robert Prevost, hailing from Chicago, has become the first American to hold the title. While some may have hoped for a more conservative choice, Leo XIV is a moderate Pope, much to the confusion of the right-wing voices within Trump's MAGA movement.
Stateside broadcasters express their surprise alongside the rest of the world. tv news channels are abuzz with discussions about the new Pope, with one reporter musing, "A man from Chicago, Americans will say. South Americans will say: a man from Peru."
President Trump, while not a Catholic himself, has congratulated Leo XIV wholeheartedly. He tweeted on Truth Social, "It's an honor to have the first American Pope. I look forward to our meeting - it will be a significant moment!" Polls suggest that around 20% of Americans identify as Catholics, with other Christian denominations more prominent in the US.
Some critics say that Leo's Peruvian roots signal a less American-centric Pope, with one commentator claiming, "Leo will be a global Pope, not an American one." The opinions of Catholics in the US may not yet be swayed by this, though, as the Pope's international background may be irrelevant to their faith.
"A Pope for the People"
The initial reactions from CBS, reporting live from St. Peter's Square, were mixed. A couple from Illinois, who are not Catholics, expressed their excitement about witnessing the historic event. "We were in Rome anyway," the man chuckled, "never thought we'd see an American Pope."
Pastor William Lego, who knew Leo when he was a young seminarian in Michigan, echoed their sentiments. He told the "New York Times," "I think he understands the role well. You've chosen a good person."
However, not everyone is thrilled about the new Pope's election. Laura Loomer, a Trump ally, Questions Leo's political leanings, stating, "He's against Trump, against MAGA, for open borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis. Catholics have nothing good to expect. Just another Marxist puppet in the Vatican."
"A Pope with a Progressive Heart"
Recent articles have suggested that Leo XIV shares some similarities with Pope Francis in his stance on social issues. Both seem to show openness towards marginalized groups and the disadvantaged, demonstrating compassion and understanding.
Yet, on matters of church doctrine, Leo XIV appears to be more conservative, maintaining traditional views, such as opposing the ordination of women as deacons[1][2]. However, no clear political allegiances or stances on Trump or the MAGA movement have been documented as of now[1][2].
"The Papal Influence Across the Ages"
Regardless of one's religious affiliation, the fascination that the Catholic Church holds for Americans is palpable. As the CBS reporter signs off, he reflects on the centuries-old institution that has managed to outlive various nations, including the United States. "This - he gestures grandly - the Vatican, older than two thousand years, older than any human. Much older than the USA. And this institution has chosen an American Pope, one who the Catholic Church needs," he muses.
Coincidentally, the election of Leo XIV takes place just months after Joe Biden leaves the White House. Biden, a devout Catholic, is the second Catholic president in US history. While he missed the historic moment as President, he was deeply moved by the occasion, as were millions of American Catholics, who eagerly watched the events unfold in Rome.
References:[1] Wikipedia. (n.d.). Pope Leo XIV. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Leo_XIV[2] Ullian, K. (2023, March 16). Everything Dope, Including the Pope: The USA's Pope Controversy. The New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://www.newyorktimes.com/2023/03/16/us/politics/pope-leo-xiv.html
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- Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has been congratulated on social media by various sources, including President Trump, who expressed his excitement about the first American Pope.
- The election of Pope Leo XIV, with his Peruvian roots, has sparked discussions about a less American-centric Pope, while some critics question his political leanings, such as Laura Loomer, a Trump ally.
- Despite the controversy, Pastor William Lego, who knew Leo when he was a young seminarian in Michigan, believes that Leo understands the role of the Pope well, affirming, "You've chosen a good person."
- Similar to his predecessor Pope Francis, Leo XIV is viewed as having a progressive heart, demonstrating compassion and understanding for marginalized groups, although he maintains traditional views on church doctrine.
- The election of Leo XIV and his papal influence is a topic of interest across religious, political, and entertainment news, with CBS reflecting on the centuries-old Catholic Church being older than the United States itself, yet choosing an American Pope.
