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After white smoke billowed Thursday from the Sistine Chapel, signaling that a pope had been chosen, students in every classroom at The Frances Xavier Warde School in Chicago had their eyes glued to TV screens.

John Prevost described his brother as being very concerned for the poor and those who don’t have a voice. He said he expects him to be a “second Pope Francis.”

CNA Newsroom, May 10, 2025 / 04:00 am (CNA).

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki has candidly confessed he “didn’t expect” the election of Pope Leo XIV, praising the new pontiff’s “warmth and humanity” while expressing hope for theological clarity concerning synodality.

Speaking to EWTN News after attending the new pope’s first Mass in the Sistine Chapel on Friday, the German cardinal reflected on the conclave process that yielded the Church’s 267th pope.

“I entered the conclave with all the different speculations that one could perceive in the media,” Woelki acknowledged. “But it’s usually the case that on the first evening, at the first vote, certain trends become visible — whether others have also discerned in prayer that this or that candidate might be the one called by the Lord. And that’s how it turned out with regard to the current Holy Father.”

The archbishop of Cologne expressed particular appreciation for the papal name choice, connecting it to previous pontiffs who addressed social challenges.

“I think it’s wonderful that he chose this particular name, which besides Leo the Great — who naturally has special significance for Rome — also recalls Leo XIII with Rerum Novarum and its tremendous impact,” Woelki said. “And I think, given the divisions in the world, including the social divisions we face, we depend on the pope’s voice. Just as we once relied on Leo XIII, today we rely on Leo XIV.”

Woelki, who has faced controversies in his German archdiocese in recent years, highlighted qualities he finds reassuring in the new pontiff.

“What I associate most with Pope Leo is his approachability, his humanity,” the cardinal stated. “He radiates security. That is, I believe, something that is important and beneficial here in the Vatican and in this universe.”

Profound problems persist both globally and within the Church that will require papal attention, Woelki observed. Among these challenges, he emphasized theological questions surrounding the concept of synodality as developed during the previous pontificate.

“Major issues naturally include preserving the Church’s unity in Faith,” the cardinal explained. “Additionally, what Francis initiated must now be organized by him [Leo XIV] and theologically deepened, especially what Francis repeatedly understood as synodality — where particularly in Germany, but I believe also in other parts of the world, there remains considerable uncertainty about what synodality theologically really means for us.”

The Cologne cardinal also pointed to numerous international conflicts requiring papal leadership.

“Of course, there are the major crisis areas in the world,” Woelki added, “from the Holy Land to Ukraine. In this context, the pope has an important voice regarding peace, social justice, and where people are being exploited.”

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from the United States, was elected on May 8, becoming the first U.S.-born pontiff in the Church’s history.

This story was first published by CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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Vatican City, May 9, 2025 / 18:28 pm (CNA).

Americans gathered in St. Peter’s Square on May 8 to celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff from the United States. Born Robert Francis Prevost on Chicago’s South Side, the 69-year-old Augustinian friar was chosen by the College of Cardinals after just two days of conclave. 

While American flags were scarce among the sea of international banners, those present from the U.S. lingered in the square long after the Holy Father appeared out on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time. They shared prayers, chants, and reflections on the unprecedented moment.  

“Never in a million years did I think that the Holy Spirit would send us a beautiful cardinal from Chicago,” said Deacon Steven Marcus, a Maronite Catholic from Florida. “You could tell by his face that he’s filled with the Holy Spirit. He’s filled with love. This is who the Church needs.” 

Moments after the white smoke rose, the crowd surged toward the front of the basilica.  

John Stadeno, a Villanova University graduate from Philadelphia, stood front and center with his friend, John Sanchez of New York, clutching an American flag and wearing a Phillies jersey and a baseball cap. Together they chanted the name of the spiritual father of the new pope’s religious order: “Agostino! Agostino!” 

“It’s an affirmation of the Augustinian way,” Stadeno said, referencing the shared alma mater with the new pope. “Prevost is a good man. He’s worked hard as a missionary, as a bishop. He’ll do a good job.” 

Sanchez added: “God bless the new Pope Leo XIV and God bless the U.S.A.” 

Brother Benedict Mary Bartsch, OP, a 29-year-old Dominican from Hawaii studying at the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas — where the new pope is also an alumnus — expressed his awe at witnessing the event firsthand.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to be here in Rome, to be at the heart of the Church, and praying all these days for the cardinals and for the election of the new Holy Father. And to be here in the square when it actually happened, it’s just amazing.” 

Upon seeing Pope Leo XIV emerge, Bartsch observed: “He seemed like he was very moved. I mean, you could see he was tearing up a little bit. You could see that he understood the sort of weight, the burden that comes with the office, with the Petrine office.” 

Andres Novoa, 33, from the Archdiocese of Miami, held up one of the few American flags in the square. “It feels unbelievable,” he said. “The Church needs a lion. The Church needs to realize that Christ is the Lion of Judah. The Church needs to assert herself as the mother and teacher, you know, that is what the world needs. And the Church is not here to hurt anyone. It’s here to give everyone salvation.” 

Novoa joked about the unexpected turn of events: “I thought the only thing this American flag would do for us was get us beat up. And now, the last thing we expected was an American pope.” 

David Solheim, an Eastern Orthodox Christian from Phoenix, traveled to Rome for the conclave. “I came out to Rome specifically for the conclave, something I always wanted to do. Like a bucket list item,” he said. “And never thought that my first conclave would be the first American pope.”

He noted the pope’s initial reaction: “You could tell he wasn’t expecting it. He was nervous. Like, I think all of us would be up there. He seems like a genuine shepherd and pastor and I look forward to what the future holds for the Church.” 

Jerry Grogan, holding an American flag before the announcement, expressed his pride: “It’s so exciting to have someone from Chicago, my hometown, to represent the Catholic Church. I’m so proud.”

He recounted a conversation with a priest from Champaign, Illinois, also waiting in St. Peter’s Square, where they doubted the possibility of an American pope. “Lo and behold, now we have our first American pope,” he said. 

Pope Leo XIV, known for his missionary work in Peru and his role in the Roman Curia as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, brings a global perspective to the papacy. Fluent in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, he is also reportedly a White Sox fan who enjoys playing tennis and the game of “Wordle,” according to his brother.  

“You could tell by the people that were in the square today how much they love Almighty God and how much they love our new Holy Father. Good things are happening for our Church,” Marcus said.