Robert Prevost, a cardinal from Chicago with deep missionary roots in Peru, has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, marking the first time in history that an American pope leads the Roman Catholic Church. The decision came after a relatively quick Vatican conclave in 2025, where Prevost emerged as a consensus candidate for a Church increasingly divided by ideology and geography.
While the Vatican maintains that his American nationality was not a decisive factor, the symbolism has stirred headlines globally, especially after US President Donald Trump tweeted an AI-generated image of himself in papal robes with the caption: “Should’ve been me. But congrats, I guess.” The meme quickly went viral, injecting humor, controversy, and American ego into a profoundly spiritual moment.
Prevost’s supporters say no. While he was born in Chicago, his global resume speaks volumes. As a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, he served for over 20 years in Peru, where he was eventually named bishop of Chiclayo. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, he was widely respected for his humility, spiritual depth, and ability to listen, a rare mix in a politicized Church.
His recent role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a position granted by Pope Francis, gave him influence over bishop appointments worldwide, cementing his status as a Vatican insider without factional baggage.
During the 2025 papal election, insiders say cardinals were drawn to his ability to unify the Church without inciting ideological backlash. His moderate stance and international experience allowed him to serve as a bridge between conservatives and reformists.
While Vatican officials stayed silent, Trump’s AI image of himself as “Pope Donald I” lit up social media. Whether meant in jest or as a jab, it brought renewed attention to the question: Does Prevost's American identity help or hinder his papacy?
In reality, Prevost’s identity is layered. He’s not just American, he’s Peruvian by citizenship, Augustinian by order, and Catholic by vocation. That global identity was precisely what made him electable in a Church struggling to stay united across continents and cultures.
By choosing the name Pope Leo XIV, Prevost invoked the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, known for championing workers’ rights and the Church’s engagement with the modern world. It’s a subtle signal that social justice, inclusion, and synodality will remain central to his papacy.
He’s expected to continue Pope Francis’ agenda on climate, migration, and global equity, while softening the polarization that defined the final years of Francis' reign.
Despite the headlines, the Vatican conclave 2025 did not elect “America’s pope”; it elected a universal shepherd. Prevost may carry a US passport, but his papacy reflects the needs of a global Catholic Church at a turning point.
As one Vatican official told La Stampa, “If he were just American, he wouldn’t have been elected. But he’s global, pastoral, and trusted. That’s what the Church needs now.”
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Did the Vatican choose an American Pope on purpose?
Prevost’s supporters say no. While he was born in Chicago, his global resume speaks volumes. As a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, he served for over 20 years in Peru, where he was eventually named bishop of Chiclayo. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, he was widely respected for his humility, spiritual depth, and ability to listen, a rare mix in a politicized Church.
His recent role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a position granted by Pope Francis, gave him influence over bishop appointments worldwide, cementing his status as a Vatican insider without factional baggage.
During the 2025 papal election, insiders say cardinals were drawn to his ability to unify the Church without inciting ideological backlash. His moderate stance and international experience allowed him to serve as a bridge between conservatives and reformists.
Trump’s AI Pope meme and the power of optics
While Vatican officials stayed silent, Trump’s AI image of himself as “Pope Donald I” lit up social media. Whether meant in jest or as a jab, it brought renewed attention to the question: Does Prevost's American identity help or hinder his papacy?
In reality, Prevost’s identity is layered. He’s not just American, he’s Peruvian by citizenship, Augustinian by order, and Catholic by vocation. That global identity was precisely what made him electable in a Church struggling to stay united across continents and cultures.
Why Pope Leo XIV was really elected
By choosing the name Pope Leo XIV, Prevost invoked the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, known for championing workers’ rights and the Church’s engagement with the modern world. It’s a subtle signal that social justice, inclusion, and synodality will remain central to his papacy.
He’s expected to continue Pope Francis’ agenda on climate, migration, and global equity, while softening the polarization that defined the final years of Francis' reign.
A Pope for all, not just for America
Despite the headlines, the Vatican conclave 2025 did not elect “America’s pope”; it elected a universal shepherd. Prevost may carry a US passport, but his papacy reflects the needs of a global Catholic Church at a turning point.
As one Vatican official told La Stampa, “If he were just American, he wouldn’t have been elected. But he’s global, pastoral, and trusted. That’s what the Church needs now.”
