On the evening of May 8, 2025, white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel, indicating to the world that the Catholic Church had selected its new leader. Shortly thereafter, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, aged 69 and born in America, emerged onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as Pope Leo XIV — marking the first instance in over a century of a pope adopting the name ‘Leo’, and the historic appointment of the first American pope.
“May peace be upon you,” began Pope Leo, speaking to the thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square and the millions tuning in worldwide. “This is the peace brought by the Risen Christ, characterized by its disarming nature, humility, and resilience. It is a gift from God — who loves each of us unconditionally and without limits.”
While Catholics around the globe commemorated this significant occasion, a surge of criticism emerged from certain sectors in the United States, especially among proponents of former President Donald Trump, who promptly expressed their dissatisfaction.
The Significance of the Name: Exploring ‘Leo’
The designation ‘Leo’ holds profound historical importance within the Church. CBS papal analyst Candida Moss highlighted that the most recent Pope Leo — Leo XIII — served from 1878 to 1903. However, of even greater significance is Pope Leo the Great, renowned for his encounter with Attila the Hun in the 5th century, during which he successfully convinced him to spare Rome.
This may indicate that he, as well, intends to confront oppressive political forces globally,” Moss stated. “Leo is also recognized as a reformer in theology.
From Chicago to the Vatican: The Identity of Pope Leo XIV
Robert Prevost, born in 1955 in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago and raised in Dolton, grew up in a devout Catholic family with immigrant heritage from France and Spain.
His brother John noted that Pope Leo exhibited a strong sense of vocation from a young age. ‘He realized in first grade that he wanted to be a priest,’ John shared with NBC.
‘He transitioned directly from high school seminary to Villanova and then to Peru, always offering us guidance, even as the youngest sibling.’
Leo’s early priestly journey took him to Peru, where he dedicated several decades of service, ultimately becoming the bishop of Chiclayo.
He possesses dual citizenship in the U.S. and Peru and was significantly shaped by the local cultures.
Former colleagues describe him as humble, kind, and down-to-earth. Rev. John Lyndon, who shared a residence with him for ten years, reminisced about Leo’s passion for music, pizza-making, and community life.
‘He had a wonderful singing voice and a generous spirit. Every segment of the parish wanted to honor his birthday.
I am still coming to terms with the reality that he is now the Pope,’ Lyndon conveyed to the BBC.
The Vision of Pope Leo XIV: Advancement Grounded in Heritage
Although Leo XIV is viewed as moderate to progressive, particularly in alignment with Pope Francis, he upholds a conservative position on doctrinal matters. He has endorsed Francis’ inclusive approach towards LGBTQ+ Catholics and ‘irregular’ couples, while stressing the importance of cultural context in interpretation.
Leo has also addressed climate change, championed renewable energy and electric vehicles, and voiced his worries regarding global injustice.
‘It is imperative that we transition from rhetoric to tangible actions,’ Leo stated last year. ‘We need to foster a reciprocal relationship with creation.’
Trump Offers Congratulations — However, His Supporters Respond
President Donald Trump extended his congratulations on Truth Social, stating: ‘Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope.
This is a significant honor for our nation — the first American Pope! It brings great excitement and pride to our country.’ However, the enthusiasm expressed by Trump was not reflected in the reactions of many of his staunch supporters.
Several MAGA-aligned influencers and loyalists criticized Pope Leo for his previous positions on immigration and racial justice, labeling him as ‘woke,’ ‘Marxist,’ and even ‘worse than Francis.’ Right-wing commentator Mike Cernovich asserted that the new Pope would advocate for abortion and promote open borders. Joe Mannarino, a pro-Trump online personality, referred to Leo as a ‘liberal piece of s***.’
Vince Langman shared an old tweet from Prevost that criticized Trump’s immigration policies, commenting, ‘He’s a WOKE Never Trumper liberal.’
Cardinal Prevost had earlier condemned remarks made by VP JD Vance, particularly Vance’s approach to ranking compassion based on national identity.
Prevost had stated on X (formerly Twitter): ‘JD Vance is wrong. Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.’
This sentiment quickly gained attention following Leo’s election, provoking backlash from MAGA figures who interpreted the Pope’s global humanitarian principles as a challenge to their ideology.
Belief, Governance, and Prospects Ahead
The papal conclave of 2025 concluded in under 24 hours, which is remarkably quick by Vatican standards. While Cardinal Tagle from the Philippines was a favored candidate among many observers, the election of Leo represents a continuation of Pope Francis’ principles, infused with a distinctly American perspective in the Church’s leadership.
His election came as a surprise even to his own family. John Prevost remarked, ‘He didn’t think so, but I kind of did. He was one of three frontrunners. Still, it’s surreal. I didn’t believe it at first — and neither did he.’
As Pope Leo XIV embarks on his papacy, he encounters a divided audience, including an increasing number of critics from the far-right political spectrum in America.
Nevertheless, millions of Catholics globally are embracing this new chapter under a leader recognized for his integrity, compassion, and grounded faith.
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