On May 8, 2025, white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new pope. Moments later, American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as Pope Leo XIV—the first American to lead the Catholic Church and the first to take the name “Leo” in more than a century. His words to the crowd were gentle and inclusive: “Peace be with you. This is the peace of the Risen Christ—disarming, humble, and persevering. It comes from God, who loves all of us without limits or conditions.”
While many around the globe celebrated the historic election, not everyone was thrilled. Within hours, criticism surged from parts of the American right, particularly among supporters of Donald Trump, who labeled the new pope “woke,” “Marxist,” and worse. Some questioned Leo XIV’s social stances, calling him a threat to conservative values.
The name “Leo” itself carries deep history in the Church. Analysts pointed to Pope Leo the Great, who famously confronted Attila the Hun and was known for reform. It was seen as a signal that Pope Leo XIV might follow in those bold footsteps.
Raised in Chicago and born to French and Spanish immigrant families, Robert Prevost knew from a young age that he wanted to become a priest. After studying at Villanova, he spent decades serving in Peru, eventually becoming the bishop of Chiclayo. He holds dual U.S.-Peruvian citizenship and is known for his humility, pastoral care, and cultural sensitivity. Friends and colleagues remember him for his love of music, pizza-making, and his deep empathy.
Leo XIV’s approach blends tradition with progress. While he holds conservative views on doctrine, he supports a more inclusive tone on social issues. He has encouraged compassion toward LGBTQ+ individuals, pushed for environmental reforms, and called for action on global inequality. “We must build a relationship of reciprocity with creation,” he said last year.
Donald Trump offered a congratulatory message on Truth Social, praising the new pope and calling it “an honor for our country.” But his base quickly turned against the pontiff. Influencers accused Pope Leo of pushing open-border policies and undermining traditional Catholic values. Past social media posts resurfaced, including one in which Leo criticized comments by VP JD Vance about prioritizing national compassion. “Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” he wrote.
The 2025 conclave had been expected to favor Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines, but Leo XIV’s selection signaled a continuation of Pope Francis’s values—this time through an American lens. His family was stunned by the outcome, with his brother John saying, “He didn’t think it would happen—but I did.”
Now, as Pope Leo XIV steps into his new role, he faces both global admiration and fierce domestic opposition. Yet to many Catholics, he represents integrity, compassion, and a much-needed voice of moral clarity. Whether hailed or criticized, his papacy marks a defining moment for a Church navigating the intersection of faith, politics, and a rapidly changing world.