White Smoke Rises: America Welcomes Its First Pope—Leo XIV
History was made Thursday evening in Vatican City as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney—signaling to the world that a new pontiff had been chosen. To the roar of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, 69-year-old Robert Francis Prevost stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church and the first pontiff named Leo in over a century.
As Catholics around the globe celebrated this monumental moment, not everyone shared the joy. On social media, prominent MAGA supporters quickly turned on the new Pope, branding him everything from a “woke Marxist” to a “liberal globalist.”
But in the shadow of centuries of tradition, a new chapter was already unfolding.
A Name Steeped in Legacy
The name Leo carries deep historical weight within the Church. Speaking with CBS, theologian Dennis Doyle noted that a pope’s chosen name often signals the kind of leadership he intends to offer.
Candida Moss, CBS’s papal contributor, explained that Leo evokes Pope Leo the Great, who reigned in the 5th century and famously persuaded Attila the Hun to spare Rome. “This choice may signal Pope Leo XIV’s desire to confront the political pressures of our age with similar courage and intellect,” Moss added.
From the balcony, Pope Leo XIV greeted the world with a message of peace. “This was the first greeting of the risen Christ,” he said. “Let this peace enter your hearts, your homes, and all the peoples of the Earth.”
He also honored his predecessor, Pope Francis, calling him “the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter,” and thanked his fellow cardinals for entrusting him with the papacy.
From Chicago to the Vatican
Born in the suburbs of Chicago in 1955, Prevost’s journey from a devout Catholic upbringing to the papal throne reads like a spiritual odyssey. According to his brother John, “He knew from first grade that he was going to be a priest. There was never a question.”
After years of seminary study and theological training, Prevost joined the Augustinians, later serving for nearly a decade as the Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru. There, he earned a reputation for humility, warmth, and joy—even under pressure.
“He always kept a sense of humor,” said Rev. Fidel Purisaca Vigil, communications director for the Chiclayo diocese. “He was a man of peace and joy.”
His former roommate in Peru, Rev. John Lyndon, recalled, “He had a great singing voice. He cooked, laughed, and was a friend to everyone. We used to block out a whole week in December just to celebrate his birthday—every part of the parish wanted a moment with him.”
A Papacy Rooted in Reform
Long considered a supporter of Pope Francis’ progressive stance, Leo XIV has expressed sympathy for migrants, backed environmental reform, and supported the inclusion of women in key roles within the Church hierarchy.
Last year, he called for a shift from “words to action” on climate change, advocating for solar energy and electric vehicles. He also upheld the importance of embracing those in “irregular situations,” including same-sex couples, while stressing the need for cultural sensitivity in Church policies.
Still, his election came as a surprise—even to him. “He didn’t believe it would happen,” said his brother John. “He thought an American pope was impossible.”
Trump Offers Praise, but the Far-Right Fumes
Among the first to offer congratulations was former U.S. President Donald Trump, who took to Truth Social:
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. What an incredible honor—for him and for our country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment.”
But while Trump expressed admiration, his base had a different reaction. Online, right-wing influencers erupted in fury, slamming Pope Leo XIV’s previous criticism of Trump and his support for immigration reform.
“He’s worse than Francis,” one MAGA influencer posted. “A liberal piece of [expletive]… we’re [expletive]!”
Mike Cernovich wrote on X: “This new Pope is an open-borders globalist. Abortion is next. Don’t believe me? Just check his feed.”
Others resurfaced old comments from Prevost criticizing Trump’s immigration rhetoric, branding him as “woke,” “a Never Trumper,” and “a danger to the Church.”
An Uncertain Road Ahead
Despite the backlash, Pope Leo XIV enters the papacy with a clear vision and a grounding in service, compassion, and reform. His supporters see him as a bridge between tradition and a rapidly evolving world. His critics see him as a threat to conservative Catholic values.
Whether he can navigate this storm remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: a new era has begun, and its leader, an American born in Chicago, now wears the shoes of the fisherman.
