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San Francisco – Habemus Papem! We have a new pope! Yesterday was a surprising day for me and for all Americans. In the fourth ballot of the conclave and just the second day of voting, a fairly unknown name, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was selected to be the next pope. There has never been an American pope in the 2000 years of the papacy – and it was most expected there never would be – as the United States has been viewed by many as too politically powerful already. Prevost’s appointment is an unexpected celebration for American Catholics like myself.
But who is Leo XIV? (his chosen papal name) Americans and people around the world – Christian and non-Christians alike – are asking this very question on this day. To find out, most of us are frantically pulling out our phones – or computers if you are old fashioned like me – to do some Google searching as well as scour international press and social media for some clues.
Robert Francis Prevost was born in Chicago in 1955. He was very interested in the church growing up and eventually entered the priesthood at age 28. A graduate of a college run by the missionary Order of Saint Augustine, he became interested early on working with the disadvantaged. Following his ordination and some local postings, Prevost spent two years serving the poor in northern Peru, where he now holds dual-citizenship. His inspiration there brought him back to Chiclayo, northern Peru, in 2014 where he soon became the bishop of all of Peru. In 2023, he was named Cardinal by Pope Francis, with whom he shared many visions and goals.
What are we to expect from this new Leo XIV in the political sphere? He seems to be a person of calm and quiet leadership, but has not shied away from taking a stance. In press and media statements, he has embraced Francis’ views relating to the poor and migrants, while condemning US government policies he believes are wrong regarding immigration, wrongful detentions, and the separation of migrant families.
His predecessor did not shy away from being openly critical of the Trump administration’s policies, especially when it came to the treatment of migrants. In his first term in 2016, Pope Francis openly criticized Trump over his pledge to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian,” he said while on a trip to Mexico, adding pointedly that “This is not in the gospel.”
In true Trump-fashion, he responded indignantly, saying that he was “proud to be a Christian” and that “no leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man’s religion or faith.”
Will Leo indeed follow in Francis’ footsteps of being openly critical of Trump’s policies? All signs point to yes.
We can draw observations from his recent response to US Vice President J.D. Vance’s statement espousing a “hierarchy of love–family, community, citizens of one’s country,” which Prevost countered, “J.D. Vance is wrong…Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love of others.”
While we still don’t know much about our new pope, we can take comfort and hope that he, like Francis, will embrace all people, regardless of their culture and faith.
Leo has not yet made specific statements regarding current global conflicts, yet I expect him to condemn the senseless and atrocious violence in Gaza and the US government’s role in enabling and directly funding the continuing brutal killing of civilians at the hands of Israel.
The late pontiff left this world viewed as a close ally and friend to not only the Palestinian people but the cause for freedom in general. Social media and the news have been flooded with stories of Francis personally video calling Father Gabriel Romanelli, the head priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, checking to see if his community is okay – or at least – still alive. The sad day of his death, that call never came. Francis even dedicated his popemobile to be transformed into a Gaza clinic as a last wish before his death. If Leo truly follows in his footsteps, and continues in his past works of working with estranged and disadvantaged communities, we expect more of the same.
However, it is too soon to tell. We don’t yet know. We, across the world, will wait with much anticipation to see his commitment.
As an American and an Irish-Catholic since birth – colloquially known as a “cradle Catholic” – I am filled with pride that we now have a pope from our country. I look to the future with hope that he will take a bold and clear stand on halting the killing and pointing directly to the governments sustaining it. I pray with hope that maybe, just maybe, this pope can be a leading example of how a true American person of faith should be – not focused on othering, dividing, or conquering power as our current president, who claims to be “Christian,” is doing.
May the prayers and encouragement of all people of faith around the world over give him strength in these trying times, which are truly trying indeed.
