An American Pope Stands Athwart Trump

Leo XIV represents a moderate counter to the American president.

Author

Brandon Goldman
May 10, 2025

The story

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago has been elected as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV.

He is the first American to hold the papacy, though he has spent the majority of his career in Peru, where he holds dual citizenship.

Though relatively unknown before the conclave — where 108 of the 133 cardinals who elected Leo XIV were appointees of Pope Francis — he is suspected to have been a centrist choice.

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