Pope Leo ‘: Catholics consider him not so … American
The unexpected election of the first American Pope seemed complex and disorienting to Roman Catholics around the world, who considered such an unlikely and perhaps undesirable effect – until the Pope Leo ID ‘ He climbed the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and chose to speak some phrases in Spanish.
In a moment, the new Pope, Former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevosthe gave the message that his identity would defy the easy categorization. He chose at that critical moment on Thursday night to say nothing in English or not to mention the United States. He seemed determined to convey the message that he was not a typical American.
The church in the world prism
That was what he succeeded. Pope Leo, who was born in Chicago, has a Creole heritage, lived in Peru for decades and speaks at least three languages, established himself as a citizen of the world. Catholics around the world ran to claim pieces from his multicultural and multilingual background as theirs, he says Post of New York Times.
« He considers himself an American, but he also considers himself Peruvian, » said Julia Cayet, a 33 -year -old osteopath, who was in the queue outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris in Paris for a special ceremony for young Catholics. « He is a priest of the world. »
At a time when President Trump has isolated the United States from the diplomatic allies and their commercial partners and has overturned much of the world class, some Catholics were concerned that an American Pontiff could somehow bring the Roman Catholic Church.
Faithful watch the liturgy with candles in St. Peter’s Square. Reuters/Amanda Perobelli
Instead, Pope Leo seems to have reassured them, at least for the time being, that he will maintain the Church as a global moral voice calling for peace and justice, especially for immigrants, the poor and the victims of the war, according to the model of Pope Francis.
It is described as more restrained and diplomatic by Franciscan. However, Pope Leo’s warm words about Peru, where he has double nationality after living and working there for more than 20 years, reminded Catholics Francis, who was from Argentina.
Vatican News called 69 -year -old Leo, not the first Pope from the United States, but the second Pope « from America ». And the South Americans rushed to proclaim him.
« He’s more Peruvian than an American, » said Cardinal Odilos Sever of Brazil at a press conference on Friday.
He and several other Brazilian cardinals repelled one question after another about the nationality of the new Pope- a Brazilian journalist said that an American pope looked taboo because of the power of the United States.
Relief for the new Pope?
It was a relief for Arakeli Torres, 64, a universal businessman in the city of Mexico, to learn in recent days that the new Pope is not « purely American ».
« We feel we are threatened by them, » he said of the United States. « So it would be an absolute disaster and a cold slap on the face if the Pope was fully American. »
Mrs Torres saw Pope Leo’s experience as Bishop and Missionary in Peru for the Order of St. Augustine, as well as the 12 years he led the Order of the World worldwide, as critical for his shaping as a shepherd who has contact with the needs of poor and vulnerable people. He said he expects he would act as a counterweight to some of Trump’s anti -immigration policies.
Even calling Pope Leo « American » has annoyed those Latin Americans who are disadvantaged by the use of the word to describe one of the United States because they consider it a form of imperialism. They believe that the term « American » should apply to anyone coming from the whole of Epirus – that is, from the north, Central or South America.
Pope Leo visits the Mother of Good Counsel Church in Rome. Francesco Sforza/Vatican Media/Handout Via Reuters
The 133 Cardinals who elected Pope Leo in a two -day conclave were certainly aware of the possible criticism they could face for choosing a Pope from a superpower where about 80% of people are not even Catholics – especially to succeed Francis, south.
Many of the cardinals in the conception were designated by Francis. They came from more countries than ever and shared his views, and yet elected an American anyway, in a process that they themselves described as a deep spiritual and satisfactory process.
Several cardinals said after the conception that Pope Leo’s nationality was almost no matter.
« After all, I don’t think the country of origin is the decisive factor, » said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, who was considered a leading candidate going to Conclave at a press conference on Friday. « After all, this is the person who can really serve the Church. »
‘We want a pope for all people’
In the Philippines, many of the faithful had supported Cardinal Tangle, one of the many potential candidates to become the first Asian Pope. But some said that Pope Leo had already won.
Mary John Manzan, head and director of the St. Scholastic Academy in the city of San Fernando of the Philippines, was encouraged by the news that on social media, an account with the name of Cardinal Prevos could critic defends mass expulsions of immigrants from the United States.
« Although it has a noble quality, » he said of the new Pope, « he has the integrity to be able to express his opinion when one violates human rights. »
In Africa, where the Church is growing faster than anywhere else in the world, Antis Dilou said it was surprised by the fact that the new Pope was an American. He then danced with joy.
Dilou, 59, producer and presenter of Radio Waumini, a National Catholic Radio Station in Kenya, said he trusts Pope Leo because of the knowledge of many languages, the years he lived in Peru and his Creole heritage.
Pope Leo ID reaches the Basilica of St. Maria Grand (Santa Maria Maggiore) in Rome. Reuters/Yara Nardi
After his election, the genealists discovered records that showed that his grandparents could have come from Haiti, the Dominican Republic and France.
He hoped that this background would help him browse the growing cultural and spiritual diversity among members of the Church.
« We want a Pope who can approach the region and get the church out of its comfort zone, » he said. « We want a Pope for all people. »
Loren Stala-Bourdigion, a priest and theologian in the Diocese of Paris, said that he was normal that the first American Pope would have a very mixed legacy.
« For us, this is America: mixed, many backgrounds, many generations of immigration, » he said. « It’s a crucible. »
Pope Leo Xiv’s Coat of Arms Offers a Clear Reflection of his Augustinian Roots and the Values He Seeks to Promote During his pontificate, Particularly Unity and Communion within the church.
The Shield is divided Diagonally into two sections. The Upper Half Features a Blue… pic.twitter.com/gmks8t6ecj
– Vatican News (@vaticannews) May 10, 2025
In the end, the most fundamental part of Pope Leo’s identity may not be the American or his Peruvian nationality, some members of the clergy and religious experts supported.
It may be that, from a very young age, the young Pope was identified as Augustine, a member of a religious order known for the emphasis on the missionary service and the community.
