Pope Leo the 14th is the first American Pope. White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel yesterday evening at Vatican City in Rome, as deafening cheers and bells echoed with tens of thousands of people packed in St. Peter’s Square to celebrate. The 69-year-old was formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago. His first words were “Peace be with you,” while appearing as Pope on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. In the meantime, local Catholic leaders are celebrating the election of the first American Pope, believing he will bring hope to the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world. Bishop Mark Bartchak of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese told local media yesterday that he welcomes the news of a new pope with great joy and thanks to God. Bartchak also told reporters that in contrast to Pope Francis, he sees Pope Leo as having an approach that’s more tempered and direct. President Donald Trump congratulated Pope Leo in a post on Truth Social. “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!” Trump wrote. Finally, Pope Leo is no stranger to Pennsylvania, having graduated from Villanova University in 1977.
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