White Smoke, American Pope: Robert Prevost Becomes Leo XIV Amid Global Applause—and MAGA Outrage
The smoke rising above the Sistine Chapel was white—an ancient signal that the Catholic Church had chosen its next leader. On Thursday evening in Vatican City, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to the thunderous cheers of thousands. He had just made history as the first American ever elected pope, choosing the name Leo XIV—the first pope to take that name in more than a century.
As Catholics around the globe rejoiced, not everyone shared in the celebration.
A Historic Choice, A Symbolic Name
Pope Leo XIV’s election came just two days after the conclave of Catholic cardinals locked themselves inside the Sistine Chapel to deliberate. His papal name, “Leo,” carries weight. According to theologian Dennis Doyle of the University of Dayton, a pope’s chosen name often reflects a guiding vision: “The first thing you look for is which popes had that name before. That signals something about the path ahead.”
CBS contributor Candida Moss echoed that sentiment, tracing the name back to Pope Leo the Great (440–461), who famously persuaded Attila the Hun to spare Rome. “This new pope might also be ready to confront oppressive political forces,” she said, adding that Leo the Great was also a “brilliant theological reformer.”
A Humble Message from the Balcony
Pope Leo XIV opened his first address with the words, “Peace be with you.” His voice, calm but resonant, extended a message of unity and hope:
“This is the peace of the Risen Christ—a disarming, humble, and preserving peace… God, who loves all of us, without limits or conditions.”
He thanked his fellow cardinals, gave a heartfelt shout-out to the people of Chiclayo, Peru—where he served as bishop from 2014 to 2023—and offered his blessing to Catholics across the globe.
Who Is Pope Leo XIV?
Born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, Robert Prevost grew up in the suburb of Dalton in a close-knit Catholic family. His brother John told NBC that Robert had a priestly calling from childhood: “By first grade, he knew. There was never a doubt.”
After entering seminary right out of high school, Prevost became an Augustinian priest. He later earned degrees in Rome and was sent on mission to Peru, where he would spend decades—eventually becoming bishop.
According to Rev. Fidel Purisaca, a colleague from Chiclayo, Leo was known for his down-to-earth personality and joyful spirit: “He never let stress overshadow his humor.” Others remember him cooking pizza, singing, and connecting deeply with communities.
“He was someone you’d laugh with over dinner,” said his longtime roommate, Rev. John Lyndon.
A Progressive—And Controversial—Pope
Leo XIV has long been aligned with the compassionate progressivism of his predecessor, Pope Francis. He supported blessing same-sex couples, welcomed women into influential church roles, and has taken a strong stance on climate change, calling for immediate action and environmental stewardship.
But not everyone is pleased with his approach—especially among America’s far-right.
MAGA Meltdown Over Leo XIV
While President Donald Trump offered public congratulations—calling Leo’s election a “great honor” for the United States—many MAGA-aligned voices reacted with fury.
Alt-right commentator Mike Cernovich declared Leo a “globalist open-borders pope” and predicted he’d “push for abortion.” MAGA influencer Vince Langman resurfaced an old tweet where Prevost criticized Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric: “He’s a WOKE Never Trumper liberal. That’s why!”
Others followed suit. Joe Mannarino labeled Leo a “liberal piece of s***.” Some accused him of Marxism, while Steve Bannon warned just days before the conclave that Prevost was one of the “most progressive” cardinals in the running.
The backlash highlights deepening divides in global Catholicism—especially as the Church increasingly embraces humanitarian, inclusive values under papal leadership.
A Papacy That Could Redefine the Church
Pope Leo XIV’s rise wasn’t expected. Even his brother admitted, “He didn’t think he had a chance. I did.” Yet here he stands, an American at the helm of the world’s oldest institution, ready to face a polarized world with calm resolve and moral clarity.
Whether Leo XIV’s papacy will transform the Church—or fracture it further—remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the world is watching.
