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World

Does Leo see himself as an American Pope?

9 May 2025

5:52 AM

9 May 2025

5:52 AM

In theory, we’ve got the first American Pope, Robert Prevost.

Born and raised in Chicago, university educated in Philadelphia. Parents French/Italian and Spanish – hence his command of four languages.

Did Leo XIV so much as mention the US during his first speech from the balcony? He did not. Maybe conscious that being an American cuts less ice in the church than being Latin American, he mentioned the Peruvian pilgrims in St Peter’s Square and the Peruvian church (where he ministered as a bishop) during his address, and spoke to them in Spanish.

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