Chicago-Born Robert Prevost Becomes Pope Leo XIV — A Papacy Already Sparking Political Ripples
At 69, Robert Francis Prevost has made history. Born in Chicago and deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, he was elected the 267th pope on May 8, 2025, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. While his tone is pastoral and unifying, his views have already sparked political resonance — especially in contrast to former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
“I was born in the United States… But my grandparents were all immigrants, French, Spanish,”
Pope Leo said in a recent interview.
“I was raised in a very Catholic family, both of my parents were very engaged in the parish.”
A Pontiff with a Heart for Immigrants and the Marginalized
The Vatican noted that although Leo XIV was born in the U.S., he is officially recognized as the second pope from the Americas, following Pope Francis of Argentina. And much like Francis, Pope Leo is believed to share strong views on caring for migrants, the poor, and the environment — positions that stand in sharp contrast to the policies of the Trump administration.
These differences became especially visible after Leo’s election.
