How White Sox Fan ‘Bob’ Beat the Odds to Become the First Pope from the U.S.

Commonly known as Bob, he was a White Sox fan from Chicago’s South Side. Now, a humble cardinal with a limited presence on social media has etched his name in history as the first American pope.

Robert Francis Prevost, at 69 years of age, has chosen the name Leo XIV, following in the footsteps of a predecessor who laid the foundation for this pivotal moment.

Pope Francis appointed him as a cardinal in 2023, elevating an individual who also holds Peruvian citizenship to a vital role within the Catholic Church. This appointment came during a chaotic US presidential campaign, ultimately culminating in Donald Trump’s return to the White House and sparking heated discussions regarding migration on both sides of the border.

During this period, Francis battled health issues while actively reshaping the College of Cardinals, responsible for selecting his successor, possibly influencing the church’s trajectory for years to come.

As the first Latin American pontiff, Francis took over from the more traditional Benedict XVI, who made waves by abdicating. Both men, now advanced in age, navigated a world increasingly shaped by technology and a resurgence of conservatism.

It is within this landscape that a surprising candidate emerges.

This outcome symbolizes a fusion of disparate papacies and underscores the noteworthy power of a small city-state in worldwide affairs.

Through his involvement in Prevost’s rise, Francis has pushed back against attempts to align Catholicism with ultra-conservative ideologies. Furthermore, he has presented an American figure who possesses intellectual rigor—citing St. Augustine—and is notably younger and charismatic.

Upon addressing the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo XIV’s first message centered on unity and the call to reject conflict.

“Create connections through dialogue, cultivating encounters that unite everyone as one harmonious community,” he asserted to the audience in St. Peter’s Square. “God loves all of you, and evil shall not prevail.”

This serves as a rallying cry from an individual chosen to lead Catholics during a chaotic time marked by cultural conflicts, unresolved global disputes, and uncertainty regarding the future role of the papacy.

Hailing from Chicago, where former President Barack Obama is orchestrating a Democratic resistance against Trump, Prevost represents a diverse set of identities.

A Peruvian citizen, he dedicated two decades to serving there, ultimately achieving the rank of bishop. His first address as pope was delivered in both Italian and Spanish.

“I am confident he will bring his distinctive viewpoint, while also building upon the foundations established by Francis,” commented Sister Barbara Reid, president of the Catholic Theological Union, during a press gathering.

As a member of the Order of St. Augustine, the new pope also made sure to invoke the saint, one of the church’s most influential theologians, bridging the intellectual legacy of Pope Benedict XVI with early Christian missions.

Focus on America

Trump jokingly shared an AI-generated image of himself as pope, expressing that Leo’s appointment was a significant honor. He has a complicated rapport with Catholics, who form a crucial voting demographic in the US, especially for the 2024 election.

As per the Pew Research Center, around 20% of US adults identify as Catholic, down from 24% in 2007.

However, scandals—particularly sexual abuse cases that have impacted the church globally—have contributed to this decline, as highlighted in surveys conducted by the organization. A rising percentage of US Catholics are Hispanic, a demographic that has been leaning towards Trump.

The newly elected pontiff, whose title means “builder of bridges,” may face initial challenges.

In the weeks leading up to his election, he found himself in a dispute, somewhat indirectly, with Vice-President J.D. Vance, a recent Catholic convert, regarding the definition of love.

The new pope is perceived as more restrained and conservative on certain issues, including LGBTQ+ rights, compared to his predecessor Pope Francis, who was often viewed as friendly and progressive.

Prevost is seen as a moderate choice that signifies continuity and is regarded as Francis’ enduring legacy. Invited to the Vatican in 2023 by Francis, he acted as a balancing force against the complexities within the Roman Curia, the Vatican’s administrative entity.

In Rome, he held a consequential role in the influential group responsible for selecting new bishops, assisting Francis in leaving his imprint on the church. As a somewhat of an outsider with a mission, Prevost proved to be a devoted ally, acting as a bridge for newcomers in Rome, a factor likely contributing to his election as pope.

He has consistently championed unity within the church.

This serves as a necessary correction to the existing divides between liberal and conservative factions. While Francis advocated for reform and humility, he also became a source of division.

Francis faced backlash from more traditionalist groups for his stance on divorce and LGBTQ+ issues, while also being criticized by progressives who expected him to take more decisive action against clerical abuses. Ultimately, he did not appease either side.

The choice of Leo XIV as a papal name provides clues regarding the future direction of the papacy, according to Robert Orsi, a religion professor at Northwestern University. The most notable namesake, Leo XIII, was a forward-thinking figure who significantly propelled the church into modernity.

“Pope Leo XIII also exercised caution regarding nationalists who endangered church unity through political strife,” Orsi noted. “Pope Leo of the early 21st century, having spent the majority of his 69 years outside the US, seems to be calling Catholics back to a genuinely global and open-hearted faith.”

Practical perspective

The new pontiff is not only a theologian with a doctorate from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, but also holds a mathematics degree from Villanova University, an institution operated by Augustinians in Pennsylvania.

This educational background may enhance his pragmatic approach, likely aiming to tackle both church unity and worldly challenges.

Pope Leo XIV’s first address called for global peace—a commonplace appeal yet reflective of the Vatican’s readiness to maintain its critique of world leaders. This is not a person inclined to retreat into academic circles.

There is a prevailing sentiment that he will pursue the path paved by Francis.

However, the election of an American pope may indicate concerns among the cardinals regarding the escalating divisions within the US and Trump’s tumultuous relationships with international allies over tariffs and defense issues.

His dual ties to both the US and developing nations may carry wider implications. The US church is renowned for its fundraising capabilities, and having an American pope may enhance the potential for increased financial backing for church initiatives globally.

Among these initiatives are migration—an especially delicate subject—and climate change. As a former missionary in Peru, Prevost is acutely attuned to both issues.

For now, he remains a measured individual bridging two cultures, entrusted with a nearly impossible task: reconciling divergent worlds.

As a candidate who was not initially favored by bookmakers for the papacy, the scope for success seems considerable. Father Thomas Reese, a Catholic scholar, reflected on this, stating: “The Holy Spirit continues to surprise us.”

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