Americans React with Surprise and Joy to U.S. Pope \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ American Catholics in St. Peter’s Square were stunned and overjoyed by the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. His unexpected rise as the first American pope sparked emotional reactions, pride, and hopes for renewed global influence and faith.
Quick Looks
- Americans in St. Peter’s Square were surprised by Prevost’s election.
- Pope Leo XIV becomes the first American pontiff in history.
- U.S. flags were scarce as few expected an American pope.
- The new pope greeted crowds in Italian and Spanish, not English.
- Priests and lay Catholics expressed joy and cautious optimism.
- Pope Leo’s deep ties to Peru were noted by American and Latin American Catholics.
- President Donald Trump called the election an “honor” for the U.S.
- Catholics now look to Leo XIV to bridge spiritual and political divides.
Deep Look
The cobblestone plaza of St. Peter’s Square has seen its share of history — but for the Americans present on Thursday, the announcement that Robert Prevost had been elected as Pope Leo XIV was something beyond historical. It was personal. It was emotional. And it was entirely unexpected.
For the first time in over 2,000 years, a North American cardinal has been chosen as Bishop of Rome, shaking centuries of tradition and geopolitical hesitation. The Vatican had long steered away from elevating an American pope, wary of entangling the spiritual leader of 1.3 billion Catholics with the world’s most powerful political and economic superpower. But the election of Leo XIV, a man with roots in Chicago and Chiclayo, marks the beginning of a new chapter in Church history — and for Americans gathered at the Vatican, a moment of stunned reverence.
“I still can’t quite believe it,” said Father Thomas Montanaro, a priest with the Legionaries of Christ, standing shoulder to shoulder with a crowd tens of thousands strong. “Who in our lifetime would have thought that we would see a North American Holy Father?”
That disbelief echoed throughout the square. Americans, unprepared for the possibility, arrived with hope in their hearts but few flags in hand. The Associated Press noted just one U.S. flag, and that was being waved by an Italian. For many, the idea that an American could ascend to the papacy was so remote that they hadn’t even considered what to do if it actually happened.
Father Darius Lawrence, a priest from California, confessed that the announcement blindsided him. “He wasn’t on any of the shortlists,” he said. “And I’ve been reading every one of them. He wasn’t a frontrunner, but that’s what makes this so beautiful. The Spirit speaks in surprises.”
Prevost’s election felt like more than a clerical appointment; it felt like a pivot in Church identity. Pope Leo XIV, as he is now known, chose not to address the crowd in English — despite being born in the United States — but began in Italian, then moved into Spanish, the language of his missionary service and archbishopric in Peru. His dual heritage — U.S. and Peruvian — symbolizes the increasingly global and multicultural reality of modern Catholicism, where the Global South is now the heartland of faith.
Even among the Americans, there was no resentment at the linguistic choice. Rather, there was admiration. “It shows who he is — grounded in mission, not politics,” said Andrea Gallardo, a Catholic from Texas visiting Rome. “He’s not just ours. He belongs to the world.”
Gallardo also reflected on what the moment might mean politically. “In a time of real division back home, I’m hoping that he can offer not just spiritual leadership but moral clarity. Maybe even help rebuild trust between people and institutions — including government.”
The news reached Washington, D.C. quickly, where President Donald Trump — often critical of past Vatican statements — expressed rare admiration. “What greater honor can there be than an American pope?” Trump said. “We’re surprised, and we’re proud.”
And yet, for many, the most touching reactions weren’t from presidents or prelates, but from ordinary people who found a piece of themselves reflected in the new pontiff.
Thomas Nicolini, a 22-year-old student from Lima, Peru, studying in Rome, rushed to St. Peter’s Square the moment he saw the white smoke rise. “I was at home when I heard the name,” he said. “I know he’s American, but he served in Chiclayo for so many years — nearly two decades. That’s a region that really needs hope. Now we have someone in the Vatican who knows what that looks like, who knows us.”
Prevost’s deep relationship with Chiclayo, a region marked by poverty, resilience, and strong Catholic identity, left a profound impression on Peruvians and Latin Americans — and, unexpectedly, on many Americans as well. His pastoral service, especially during natural disasters and the COVID-19 crisis, demonstrated a style of leadership rooted in humility and service. It’s the kind of leadership that doesn’t come with headlines, but with trust.
“He knows how to fix broken trucks, deliver aid by hand, sleep on church floors, and listen,” Nicolini added. “That’s the kind of pope we need. Not just someone who speaks about faith — someone who lives it.”
Indeed, Leo XIV’s papacy is emerging not just as a surprise, but as a synthesis of cultural identities, languages, and leadership philosophies. Americans see a pope who speaks their language — even if he doesn’t always do so literally — and carries the values of hard work, public service, and global engagement.
The unexpected nature of the election has prompted comparisons to Pope John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years when he was elected in 1978. Like that historic moment, Leo XIV’s rise suggests a Church evolving past its traditional power centers. His American birth, combined with Latin American experience and Vatican credibility, makes him a rare bridge between worlds.
As the sun set over Rome, St. Peter’s Square slowly emptied, but for the Americans still lingering, one truth had settled in. History had changed, and they were witnesses.
“This is one of those moments you’ll tell your grandkids about,” said Father Montanaro. “Not just because he’s American — but because he reminds us what the Church can be. Global, humble, united.”
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