Welcome to the America magazine conclave podcast. We are thrilled to join the church in welcoming Pope Leo XIV!

Our team was just in St. Peter’s Square for the historic election, and we’re here with first reactions and some important details about the life and ministry of the missionary Augustinian friar turned pope: the now former-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost.

00:00 Initial reactions to the white smoke, first appearance and first address of Pope Leo XIV
3:45 Insights from Pope Leo XIV's personal biography
8:30 Breaking down Pope Leo's first address: peace, humility and signals of his priorities
13:15 The significance of Pope Leo being a native English-speaker and an Augustinian friar
16:30 Why most people thought a pope from the U.S. was impossible. And why that didn't matter in the conclave
18:06 Who was Leo XIII, the inspiration behind Pope Leo's choice of name
19:50 Most observers predicted a prolonged conclave. What Pope Leo's speedy election means for the Catholic Church

Links from the show:

Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s first ‘urbi et orbi’ blessing:
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-urbi-et-orbi-250638

Robert Francis Prevost elected first American pope: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/05/08/white-smoke-new-pope-elected-250626

Peru rejoices for their former bishop: Pope Leo XIV: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/05/08/prevost-pope-leo-peru-250634

Prepare to be surprised by the next pope: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/05/08/coclave-diary-pope-surprise-250627

Pope Francis’ letter, JD Vance’s ‘ordo amoris’ and what the Gospel asks of all of us on immigration:
https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2025/02/12/bishops-pope-francis-trump-deportation-249919

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