History was made this week from May 7th-8th 2025 in the Vatican City as white smoke emerged and flourished from the Sistine Chapel, and the College of Cardinals announced the election of the first American pope in history.
Pope Leo XIV, otherwise known as Robert Francis Prevost, previously served in the Dicastery for Bishops. After just two days of cogitation, Prevost was selected, marking a monumental moment not only for the Catholic Church, but for the United States as well.
For over 2,000 years and 266 popes, the leadership of the Catholic Church has remained predominantly European, with most popes coming from Italy. The election of an American pope signals a profound shift in the global religious landscape. The United States is home to over 70 million Catholics, and the Church has seen some of its fastest growth in the Americas in recent decades.
Green Level Social Studies Department Chair Jeremy Hodges recognizes the weight of this decision.
“This is more than just a symbolic change. For hundreds, even thousands of years, The Pope has been seen as a very powerful leader, not just religiously or spiritually but also politically, especially in Europe. Choosing an American Pope shows that the Church is recognizing home important places such as the Americas have become. It’s definitely a sign that leadership is spreading out and not just centralized in Europe” states Hodges.
The Pope was born and raised in Chicago, causing him to retain close ties to the United States, specifically Illinois, despite spending the most influential decades in Peru, where he resided for 20 years. Prevost is known for his global experience with the Church and missionary activity, facility, and diplomatic skill.
Leo XIV gave his first speech to the Mass of Roman Catholics on Friday, May 9th, to a crowd valuing out to around 1.4 billion. He pledged to align himself with the “ordinary people” not with the powerful or extremist, reinstating his mission is to not be affiliated with the “wounds that afflict our society” according to the New York Times.
Pope Leo also voiced how he is a great advocate for the poor, women, divorced people, immigrants, and LGBTQ, and his background may bring new energy to these conversations.
The world watches and waits to see what Pope Leo XIV will become, but his demographic, background, and passion is critically inspiring.
