The First American Pope: A Shift in the Catholic Church

Initially, many American Catholics were skeptical about the notion of having an American pope. It seemed unrealistic to think that the world’s cardinals would choose a leader from the only superpower.

Some media outlets have framed Pope Leo XIV as a protégé of Francis, but there’s hope that he might chart a different course.

It felt like a long shot. Yet, sometimes the impossible finds a way of becoming reality.

Cardinal Robert Francis stepping in as the new pope—a figure leading 1.4 billion Catholics—echoes sentiments shared by Donald Trump in his inaugural address: “In America, the impossible is for us to do our best.” However, for Pope Leo XIV, the real challenges are just beginning.

His official launch coincided with Pope John Paul II’s 105th birthday. Now, the first American-born pope faces the task of mending the Vatican’s fraught relationship with the United States, a situation worsened by his predecessor, Pope Francis.

The previous pope, who passed away on April 21, did visit the U.S. once during his 12-year papacy, but his overall connection felt, well, a bit disjointed.

Francis gained both admiration and criticism globally, especially after his 2013 comments about homosexual behavior: “If a person is gay and has good intentions for God, who will judge him?”

However, he also sparked frustration among American Catholics in 2021 when he limited the traditional Latin Mass—much to the dismay of those who were attracted to it, especially younger congregants.

His foray into American politics didn’t go unnoticed either. In 2016, for instance, he critiqued President Trump’s border policies during a mass in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Ironically, shortly thereafter, he criticized Trump again, stating that those focused solely on building walls “are not Christians.” This sparked some ambivalence given the Vatican’s own protective wall.

Earlier this year, Pope Francis further reiterated his stance on immigration, sending a letter to American bishops condemning Trump’s treatment of immigrants as violating human dignity.

Before entering the conclave last week, the newly elected pope expressed discontent with the Trump administration’s immigration policy. One of his last public comments as a cardinal was a retweet condemning a deportation agreement with El Salvador.

While Pope Leo XIV has been labeled a follower of Francis, expectations are that he might adopt a more nuanced approach. His extensive experience in Latin America and leadership within the Augustinian Order may give him the credibility he needs to enact vital reforms overdue for the Church.

As he steps into this new role, he must also work to reconnect with American Catholics who are champions of the traditional Latin Mass. The popularity of this form among younger congregants was flourishing under Pope Benedict XVI, only to see it limited under Francis.

Pope Leo started his Sunday message last week by singing “Regina Caeli” in Latin, signaling support for those preferring traditional practices. His commitment to safeguarding both sacred rituals and the Church’s diverse heritage seems to resonate well with the congregation.

While rebuilding ties with the U.S. remains crucial for Pope Leo, he has inherited serious financial issues, including a growing pension crisis. Over the years, the Vatican has battled a serious financial deficit, and recent figures indicate a budget shortfall of around $94.22 million. Despite Francis’ attempts at reform, ongoing financial scandals loom large.

As a 69-year-old from Chicago, the new pope faces numerous hurdles, including dealing with issues surrounding homosexuality in the Church and the decline in Catholicism in Europe. Healing divisions exacerbated during Francis’ tenure will take time and diplomacy.

Though media portrayals have suggested a continuation of Francis’ legacy, there’s growing hope that Pope Leo XIV may steer the Church toward much-needed reforms, reflecting his rich experience over the last two decades.

The challenges seem immense, yet so did his election as the first American pope.