The First American Pope

The white smoke got my attention. It got the world's attention, not just the 1.4 billion Roman Catholics in the world. I'm a recovered Catholic, and even I stopped, and watch, and waited to see who the new Holy Father would be.

An hour later, we had our answer, and it was beyond belief. The new Pontiff was — an American!

And thus the former Robert Cardinal Prevost of the Chicago Archdiocese become Pope Leo XIV. His name reflects that of Leo XIII, who started the church down the path of social justice. This looks good, as he was elevated to Cardinal by Francis, who was himself a social reformer.

I don't know if he's going to be our friend, but I have a feeling that he will not be a foe.