Election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the first American-born pope
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost becomes the first American-born pope, creating a mix of shock, joy, and pride among Americans in Vatican City and around the world. Some express disappointment due to concerns about American power. The new pope, Leo XIV, is seen as a moderate who favors a pastoral approach over doctrinal dogma. Americans and others in St. Peter's Square and New York City react with a mixture of surprise and optimism for the future of the Catholic Church.