Can an American Pope challenge Trump’s United States? | DW News

Chicago-born Robert Prevost, 69, was confirmed as the successor to the late Pope Francis on Thursday, when plumes of white smoke billowed out from the Sistine Chapel's chimney — the traditional sign that the conclave of cardinals has chosen a new pope.
After his historic election, tens of thousands of well-wishers gathered in the Vatican on Thursday evening as Leo XIV appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to deliver a speech in English, Spanish and Italian.
DW's religious affairs correspondent Bernd Riegert said Leo XIV will be "a man of the poor, who cares for the disadvantaged in society."
Riegert said the new pontiff would likely "follow in the footsteps of the late Pope Francis."
Pope Leo XIV's election makes him the first North American to lead the world's estimated 1.4 billion Catholics.
Congratulations from world leaders have been pouring in since yesterday, including from US President Donald Trump.
"It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Before his election as pontiff, Prevost appeared to publicly criticize the Trump administration and US Vice President JD Vance over its immigration policies.

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Post from DW News on May 09, 2025

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