By Ava West
On May 8, the first American pope was elected. So, what does this mean for us, as Americans? And why now?
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, was born and raised in Dolton, Illinois (near Chicago). He lived at home with his two brothers, his mother and father. He went to both school and to church at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Chicago, and had a fairly normal childhood, according to news reports.
But, Pope Leo XIV is not only a citizen of the United States, he holds citizenship in Peru, having ministered there for decades. GRCC Professor of Exploring World Religions, Jefferey Winkle, stated in an email to the Collegiate that “to me, Leo’s Peruvian citizenship and background is more germane (relevant) to global shifts than the fact that he is from Chicago.”
Professor Winkle states that, in reference to Catholicism, “there has been a shift away from Europe and toward Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. Catholicism is on the rise in these parts of the world while Europe itself secularizes.”
To Winkle, and many scholars’, the election of an American pope doesn’t say a lot about the United States, but more about where Catholicism is most prevalent right now.
Although many look at this election as a political move, Winkle states that “from an orthodox, Roman catholic view, the choice in conclave was guided by the Holy Spirit and attends to the will of God above the political concerns of humans.”
It is possible that there were political motivations, but from a strictly religious view, no human could have really made this decision. It is up to the Holy Spirit who will be the earthly representative of Christ.
But what can the public expect from this new pope now that he is in papacy? Winkle states that he views Pope Leo XIV as “certainly not a revolutionary, game-changing figure. He strikes me as rather centrist.”
Many, Winkle included, note that Pope Leo XIV will probably follow in Pope Francis’ footsteps; interested in global affairs and spreading Catholicism, but won’t shake things up too much. We also know that they were friends, so it would not be surprising if Pope Leo XIV emulates Pope Francis in his new role.
On a more fun side of getting to know the new pope, Pope Leo XIV has seen “Conclave”, is a White Sox’s fan, and as a child would play “mass,” much like most kids play “school.”
Overall, it sounds like not much will change with an American pope, at least no more than with any new pope. But, it is still very early on, and generally too soon to tell.
