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The selection of U.S.-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope on Thursday inspired lots of reactions on social media.
Prevost, who will go by Pope Leo XIV, is the first North American to hold the post, causing the term “American Pope” to trend on X, formerly Twitter.
Many people felt obliged to offer their thoughts.
What a wonderful decision by the Conclave to choose the first American Pope! Leo XIV, when he was a Cardinal, urged the world to move “from words to action” on the environmental crisis facing the world. His leadership as Pope will be so crucial on this vitally important issue.
— Al Gore (@algore) May 8, 2025THE FIRST AMERICAN POPE!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS AMAZING!!!!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
We celebrate the first American Pope—an extraordinary milestone in the life of the Catholic Church. May Pope Leo XIV be guided by humility, courage, and a heart for justice as he steps into this sacred calling. Our prayers are with him and with all those he is called to serve.
— James E. Clyburn (@RepJamesClyburn) May 8, 2025The first American Pope -- and from the Midwest. This is a deeply meaningful moment for Catholics across the U.S.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) May 8, 2025While people were excited about the “first American pope,” it should be noted that Leo’s predecessor, the Argentine-born Pope Francis, is actually the first pope from the Americas.
Meanwhile, the new pope’s ties to Chicago inspired a new hashtag: #DaPope.
When new Pope Leo XIV, a known Cubs fan, was asked how it feels to be the first American Pope he answered, “It feels even better knowing I’m no longer a Cardinal.”
An American pope that dislikes JD Vance. Lmfao.
— Melty 🇨🇦 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@MeltingTv) May 8, 2025Other people suggested the decision to pick a pontiff from the U.S. was a politically motivated decision by the Catholic Church.
Hot take: This Pope pick was a fuck you to American fascism.
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) May 8, 2025Smart play for the Vatican to go with an American Pope to avoid tariffs
— Armand Domalewski (@ArmandDoma) May 8, 2025Not just an American Pope, but a pope who has spent a *lot* of time in Latin America...I have a feeling Trump's deportations of U.S. citizens to Latin American countries won't sit very well with this new pope.
— Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) May 8, 2025There were those who suggested unintended consequences over the pick.
Rough day for some American Catholics, who no longer have an excuse for not understanding what the Pope says about caring for the poor, the imprisoned, and migrants.
— Connor Ewing (@ConnorMEwing) May 8, 2025We Won't Back Down
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And while many people saw the new pope as a win for the USA, a couple of people said it might actually be evidence of a decline.
History does not repeat itself. But sometimes it rhymes.
1978; Poland on the brink… John Paul II, first Polish Pope elected.
2025; America on the brink… Leo XIV, first American Pope elected.
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