History was made on Thursday when Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American from Chicago, was elected as the new head and Pope of the Catholic Church. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he becomes the first American ever to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Across the United States, the news was met with joy and pride. Streets buzzed with conversation, churches rang bells, and Americans from all walks of life celebrated the rise of one of their own to the highest spiritual position in the Catholic faith.
U.S. President Donald Trump joined in the celebration, calling Pope Leo XIV’s election “a great honor” for the country. “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” Trump said in a statement. “What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
But beyond the celebrations, the world is also watching this historic moment with great expectations. In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro welcomed the news with hope—but also a challenge. He urged the new pope to be a strong voice for migrants, especially those from Latin America facing hardship in the United States.
“I hope he becomes a great leader for migrant peoples around the world,” Petro said. “I hope he encourages our Latin American migrant brothers and sisters, humiliated today in the United States. It’s time for them to organize.”
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Pope Leo XIV’s background as both an American and a Catholic leader positions him uniquely in today’s complex world. His election comes at a time when the Church is being called to take stronger stands on issues like migration, social justice, and global peace.
Though the Vatican has not yet released Pope Leo XIV’s first official message, millions of Catholics—and non-Catholics alike—are eager to hear his vision. As the world welcomes a new pope, Americans are especially proud to see their nation represented at the heart of one of the world’s oldest and most influential institutions.
