Pope Leo XIV was born, raised, and educated in America, but he's spent most of the last 40 years in Peru. Thus, it's a stretch to refer to the new pope as "American."
Rev. Stephen Spahn, an assistant teaching professor of theology at Loyola University Maryland, talked to ABC News about the new pope's worldview. "I suspect he will be scrupulous and careful to avoid the thought that he is an American and not a Christian view. He is going to be a bridge builder and build relationships with world leaders broadly."
Even if Leo was going to be more like John Paul II rather than Pope Francis, he would still hold a far more internationalist view of events. That's the nature of the papacy and always has been. Leading a worldwide flock of 1 billion believers leaves no room for partisanship.
At the conclave that elected Pope Leo, 105 and 138 cardinals who voted for a new pope were elevated by Pope Francis. His influence, like the influence of Pope John Paul II, will be felt for decades. For many Catholics, that's unfortunate. However, that's the reality. The conclave was never going to elect anyone but someone they thought would carry on the work of Francis.
In some ways, traditional Catholics lucked out with Leo's election, given his opposition to the Marxist teachings in "Liberation Theology." He embraced the "social justice" aspects of the ideology, including a fierce critique of capitalism (like every pope ever) and an emphasis on the poor. But the conclave could have chosen someone even more objectionable.
That they chose Robert Prevost of Chicago's Southwest Side means that whatever American perspective Pope Leo brings to his tasks, it will be grounded in a left-wing worldview.
He’s also the living embodiment of one of America’s most important and profound transformations — from a Protestant-dominated nation that was often deeply intolerant of Catholicism and Catholics to a nation in which people of all faiths can worship freely.
Leo will forge his own path, and it’s important not to read too much into various tweets and social media posts. But if there is one thing we can glean from the new pope’s words and the way he has lived his life, it’s that he shares Pope Francis’ love for the poor and the vulnerable. He’s expressing and trying to embody a religious faith that views all life as precious.
The idea that the pope opposes Trump on immigration, the environment, and other issues shouldn't disqualify him from being a respected voice on issues like abortion, education, and family.
David Gibson, the director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, believes that the conclave believed that electing someone with "an American voice" could help the Vatican talk to Trump without making an enemy of him.
"He will be like Francis, where he will message the Vatican's voice," he said. "[The Vatican is] certainly ready for it. They have been dealing with Trump for years. They don't get into back-and-forths. They will just make their position clear."
As for the Trump administration, the president and Vice President J.D. Vance both issued congratulatory statements that were warm and welcoming.
"I'm sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church," Vance wrote on X.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. 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."
Pope Leo will continue to make the Catholic church a synodal church where everyone, including cardinals, bishops, priests, and lay people, all have a decision-making voice. It's in keeping with Leo's desire to "build bridges."
We'll see whether that includes any bridges to the White House.
