June 8, 2025

Prior to every conclave, there is speculation as to whom will be elected the Successor of St. Peter to lead the Church. The recent conclave was no exception, but I am unaware of anyone who predicted that then-Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost would be elected Pope Leo XIV. Like billions of Catholics worldwide, I was surprised when I heard his name announced. Whenever people would speculate about the possibility of having an American pope, I, like many others, would express doubts. Common thinking was that there were members of the College of Cardinals who might disagree with having an American lead the Church due to our country’s political, economic and cultural influence worldwide. That line of thinking might have shifted slightly…