ROME — History was made on May 8 when Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a humble Chicago-born priest with Peruvian roots and a deep commitment to missionary work, became Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

With a career steeped in service and spirituality — from the streets of Peru to the halls of the Vatican — Pope Leo’s election followed four tense rounds of voting in the College of Cardinals. Now, as 1.4 billion Catholics across the globe look to this new shepherd for guidance, curiosity swirls around how the American-born pontiff will steer the world’s largest Christian faith.

A Pope of Unity and Action

Pope Leo XIV is a proud member of the Order of St. Augustine, a lesser-known Catholic order founded in 1244 with a focus on truth, charity, unity, and friendship. His motto — “In illo uno unum” (“In the One, we are one”) — reflects his belief in building bridges, not walls.

Raised in the U.S., educated at Villanova University, and shaped by decades of missionary work in Peru, Pope Leo is more than just the first pope from America — he’s a symbol of international communion. His Augustinian roots emphasize listening, humility, and outreach — values that resonate in a time when the Church is called to reflect and rebuild.

What Americans Think of the New Pope

A new Economist/YouGov poll shows Americans are cautiously optimistic about Pope Leo’s potential. Here’s what they had to say:

• 47% hold a favorable view of the pope — including 19% “very favorable.”

• Liberals and conservatives alike are warming to him: 59% of liberals and 41% of conservatives view him favorably.

• A notable 43% are unsure of his political leanings, though many detect a moderate-to-progressive tone in his early messaging.

• 47% believe he may influence U.S. domestic issues — though 41% say that would be inappropriate.

Pope Leo has yet to take bold political stances as pontiff, but early signs suggest he may extend Pope Francis’ progressive legacy, especially on issues like immigration, poverty, and worker justice — topics close to his heart from his days as a missionary.

A Pope for the People — and the Poor

In his first speeches, Pope Leo invoked the spirit of St. Augustine, urging people to “live well” and find true happiness not in pleasure, but in purpose. He’s already made unannounced pilgrimages and continues to echo his belief that the Church must not be passive, but boldly evangelizing and lifting up the marginalized.

Echoing the “Workers’ Pope” Leo XIII — whom he honors with his chosen papal name — Pope Leo XIV seems poised to confront the challenges of inequality, climate change, and migration with compassionate boldness.

Politics, Popes, and Red Hats

Pope Leo’s emergence comes at a tense moment in American politics. Despite Catholic roots, the White House has clashed with Vatican ideals, especially around immigration and economic justice. Leo’s prior criticisms of President Trump’s policies are already drawing fire from political hardliners — with one MAGA activist calling him a “Marxist puppet.”

But supporters say the new pope is not about partisanship — he’s about people. As one Augustinian priest said, “It’s about eternal friendship… wanting to walk with friends and find truth.”

Conclusion

Whether you’re a Catholic, a curious observer, or just someone trying to make sense of the world — Pope Leo XIV’s journey from a seminary in Michigan to the papal balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica is a story of hope, humility, and humanity.

At a time when division feels like the norm, the new pope reminds us of the power of dialogue, service, and the radical idea that faith should unite, not divide.

And that? That’s a message worth listening to.