Thousands of kilometers away, in Illinois, the choice of a man previously known as Robert Prevost, who was currently in one of the most influential positions in the world, met with great joy.
– I am stunned, surprised, amazed. I did not expect an American pope – said Mark Piper, a parishioner from the parish of St. Barnaby in the southern part of Chicago.
– We certainly feel pride that he is from Chicago – says about the Pope born and raised in the third largest city of the US, priest Sergio Romo, priest of the parish of St. Andrzej.
– Before the conclave people asked: “What are the chances of the American pope?”, And I answered according to the widespread opinion that they are very slim. A lot of people are calling me now and say: “Oh, you were wrong! – he adds.
Pope Leon XIV faces many challenges, including the uncertain financial situation of the Vatican and demands of child protection against sexual abuse by priests.
The Vatican has been perceiving the United States for decades as an ally in maintaining a liberal world order and in the pursuit of religious freedom in more authoritarian regions. However, Trump's unpredictability aroused anxiety in the Holy See.
The cardinals chose a leader who is ideologically closer to the relatively progressive worldview of his predecessor Franciszek and can be in opposition to the US President.
Continuation of the material under the video
– We used to need a pope who would speak to human rights in Russia and China. Now we need someone who will tell the truth about American power, “said Massimo Faggioli, a professor of theology at the University of Villanov, where he studied the Pope.
Born in Chicago in 1955, Prevost soon began his career in the church. He studied mathematics in Villanov, and then joined the Order of St. Augustine and 26 years old was ordained a priest.
He spent his formation years in Peru, where he worked in the Archdiocese of Trujillo for over a decade. Prevost climbed the ladder of a local church, whose bishops were divided between leftists, strongly under the influence of Latin American theology of liberation, and ultra -conservatives closely related to Opus Dei.
Perceived as moderate, Prevost returned to Peru as a bishop in 2015-2023. In his first speech as a pope delivered on Thursday, May 8, he said in Spanish that “the faithful accompanied their bishop and shared his faith.”
“He decided to be one of us, live among us and bear the faith, culture and dreams of this nation in our hearts,” said President Peru Dina Boluarte in a television speech on the day of election of the Pope.
Prevost drew the attention of Francis, who appointed him bishop in 2015. He quickly advanced. The Argentine Pope called him to Rome in 2023 to head the Dykasterium for the appointment of bishops [instytucja zajmująca się doborem kadr w Kościele] – This position allowed him to build a network of contacts among world Catholic leaders.
However, the unexpected promotion of Prevost to the highest position in the Church – and a spiritual guide 1 billion 400 million Catholics in the world – caused that observers try to understand his basic beliefs and are looking for tips on his leadership style.
Leon XIV's first speech on the balcony of the Basilica of St. Piotr, May 8, 2025
Choosing the name Leon suggests that Prevost will continue the progressive line of its predecessor. Leon XIII, the Pope at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, was the author of the encyclical rerum Novarum, often considered the first step towards gradual acceptance by the Catholic Church of political modernity. The encyclical contains, among others Christian defense of employees' rights.
He went back to 1900 and chose the name Leon XIII. This will be a message for Donald Trump and his friends. This pope does not intend to give way to return to old methods – said Greg Pierce from the publishing house [publikacji religijnych] Acta Publications in Chicago.
However, the new pope is also a member of the Augustinian order, who usually confesses more traditional theological views.
“The conclave was divided, but Prevost was acceptable for both sides – both conservatives and progressors,” says David Deane, a lecturer at the Christian doctrine at the Atlantic School of Theology university in Halifax, Canada.
– On the one hand, he is a critic of Trump and [wiceprezydenta USA J.D.] Vance and their approach to immigration. He is a defender of the minority, a supporter of synodality and environmental protection. However, he also opposes women and women-women's deacon, he is a supporter of a hard position on abortion and opposes the “gender ideology”-adds Deane.
In February 2025, on account X under the name Prevosta, a Vance criticizing entry was published with a link to the article from the National Catholic Reporter magazine, in which it was found that his [wiceprezydenta USA] The interpretation of the Christian doctrine is “wrong”.
It was one of several entries on this account, which contained links to critical articles against the immigration policy of the Trump administration.
John Allen Jr, the editor of the Independent Catholic Information Portal Crux, said that the new pope would balance between the defense of Catholic social science and the maintenance of Washington with him and influential Catholics supporting the movement of the magician.
Allen claims that the Pope will have to “navigate between the clear defense” of his values, not the destruction of relations with the US government.
– If you want to achieve something, you have to with them [administracją Donalda Trumpa] cooperate. This will require an extremely delicate balance – he said.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
