politics
The unlikely story of the election of the first American pope
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an extract from CNN Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb’s new book, “American Hope: What Pope Leo XIV Means for the Church and the World.” It will be published on March 26 by Headline in the United Kingdom and Hachette in the United States.
TL;DR
- Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as pope a week after Pope Francis's funeral, causing varied reactions from Catholics and cardinals.
- The papal election gained unusual public interest, partly due to the movie "Conclave."
- Pope Francis's diverse appointments to the College of Cardinals reflected a shift away from Europe towards Africa and Asia.
- Cardinal Robert Prevost, born in Chicago but with extensive missionary work in Peru, emerged as a potential candidate for pope.
- Historically, an American pope was considered unlikely due to the US's global power, a notion rooted in past papal concerns about "Americanism."
- Leo XIV, the first American pope, adopted a low-key style and has had limited direct contact with President Donald Trump.
- The election created a contrast with the warmer relationship between Pope Francis and President Joe Biden.
- Despite political differences, Pope Leo XIV's family, including his MAGA-supporting brother Louis Prevost, demonstrated that unity can be maintained.