Happy Friday! And for all the mothers out there, an early happy Mother’s Day! 💐
In this edition:
- Political ramifications of Pope Leo’s selection
- Conversation with the Pope’s brothers
- Passing of a former Supreme Court Justice
- Biden’s return to the public eye may unsettle Democrats
Vatican City ⛪♥
Can you believe Pope Chicago?:
Pope Leo XIV led his inaugural Mass this morning as the newly appointed head of the Catholic Church.
About him: Robert Pribble, aged 69, graduated from Villanova near Chicago and dedicated many years as a missionary in Peru. He holds Peruvian citizenship and is fluent in Spanish and Italian.
Pope Leo opened his first Homily in English:📹 clock ; Read his address
A round of applause for the choir: The Sistine Chapel’s children’s choir celebrated him as the Mass concluded, and he waved in return. 📹 clock
Noteworthy foresight: An article in The New York Times dated May 2nd questioned, “Could this cardinal, being the first from the U.S., change the narrative of the papacy?”
📝5 Key Insights about Pope Leo’s Selection:
➤Political Impact – What does this mean?:
Many view this move as a progressive step for the Church. His goals likely aim to continue the legacy of Pope Francis.
His social media activities hint at his political leanings, especially regarding President Trump and Vice President Vance. He has a history of voting across party lines.
He supports efforts to combat climate change and assist migrants, though his stance on LGBTQ issues may not align with progressive views. Read more on his perspectives
Essential reading from The New York Times: “How will Pope Leo engage with the right wing of the American Church?”
Did you know?: Over a third of Trump’s cabinet, along with two-thirds of the Supreme Court, are Catholics.
➤Moments and experiences – the American Pope!:
What a delightful moment: A priest who studied alongside Pope Leo joked on CNN, calling him “Bob.” 😂📹 Check it out
📹 Witness the moment the smoke turns white
His take on Chicago and Italian pizza: Last August, Cardinal Prevost visited a pizza place in Illinois, even posing for a picture.
📸Today’s Chicago Sun Times cover
📸New Covers from Time Magazine
White Sox supporters! 📸Prevost in the 2005 World Series
Curious about his Villanova yearbook?: Hill Alex Gangitano shared a 1977 yearbook photo featuring Prevost, noted for its playfulness.
His roots lie in New Orleans: “His lineage links to a vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture, helping merge the history of Leo XIV with the often-overlooked experiences of Black Catholics in America.”
How did the new Pope get custom garments immediately?: Raniero Mancinelli, his tailor for many years, prepped some outfits beforehand. 📹 clock; Read more
➤ My favorite detail:
The Pope’s brothers seem so down-to-earth. Imagine casually mentioning your brother is the Pope!
His brother, John Prible, shared with ABC News how they would play “priests” as kids, using an ironing board as their altar. He also confirmed the Pope is a White Sox fan. 📹 Watch their chat
Leo’s other brother, Louis Prevost, expressed his astonishment about Leo becoming Pope. 📹 See his reaction
➤ A few light-hearted jests:
Social media buzzed with jokes about the Pope’s Chicago roots. Here are some I enjoyed:
Portillo’s hot dogs asked, “How fast can we ship Italian beef to the Vatican?“
“The American Pope could be a hit series,” commented one user. Another quipped, “Chicago Pope, coming to NBC Tuesday.”
“This is a lot like Marco Rubio‘s interim pontificate,” joked a Washington Examiner columnist.
➼ Correction getting traction:
Biden can’t just step back:
Former President Biden returned to the limelight, participating in two significant post-presidency interviews.
His appearance on “The View”: He dismissed concerns about his mental state and refuted claims regarding Trump’s 2024 victory. “I was in charge and won,” he stated confidently.
He also recently had an interview with the BBC.
According to reports, Democrats express frustration with Biden’s recent public reemergence, suggesting it hinders their recovery efforts.
Retired Supreme Court Justice David Starr has passed:
Former Supreme Court Justice David Starr died Thursday, aged 85, at his home in New Hampshire.
He “passed away peacefully” in his residence.
📃Read the Supreme Court’s announcement
A bit about him: Appointed by former President George H.W. Bush in 1990, Starr served nearly 20 years, stepping down in 2009. He’s known for taking a liberal stance, which drew criticism from conservative circles.
He played a significant role in establishing constitutional rights regarding abortion and sided with liberals on crucial matters.
Light-hearted detail: “After retirement, Judge Starr sold his family farmhouse and relocated due to his extensive book collection, which outgrew the structure,” his obituary detailed.
In the near future:
The House and Senate are currently out while President Trump remains in Washington. (All Times EST)
1pm: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt briefs reporters. 💻 Live stream
4pm: Trump is slated to sign executive orders.
Internet topics:
🍷 Celebrate: Today marks National Moscato Day.
A humorous twist: An 8-year-old accidentally ordered 70,000 Dum Dums on his mom’s phone. She’s been getting refunds, but the delivery photos have brought lots of laughter.
👋 And finally…
To kickstart your weekend, check out this guy fighting a crab.
