• Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, of Chicago, was elected as Pope Leo XIV, the first American to hold the position.
• The election was celebrated in the United States, especially in Chicago, and in Peru, where he served as a missionary and bishop for over 20 years.
• Some concerns were raised regarding Pope Leo XIV's past remarks on LGBTQ+ issues, contrasting with the inclusive approach of Pope Francis, his predecessor.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope on May 8, 2025, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. This marks a historic moment as he is the first American to hold the position of Pope. Prevost, born in Chicago, has spent a significant part of his career in Peru, where he served as a missionary and bishop. His election has sparked celebrations in both the United States and Peru, but also raised some concerns among LGBTQ+ Catholics due to past comments he made regarding the "homosexual lifestyle."

• What: Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope, becoming Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope.
• Who: Robert Francis Prevost (Pope Leo XIV), Pope Francis, Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, John Prevost (Pope's brother), Tom Ricketts (Cubs Chairman).
• When: Election occurred on May 8, 2025. Prevost served in Peru for over 20 years.
• Where: Vatican City, Chicago (birthplace), Peru (missionary work).

The election of Pope Leo XIV signifies a shift, being the first American to hold the position. His background in Peru brings a unique perspective, but his past comments on LGBTQ+ issues raise concerns. The choice of the name Leo XIV is analyzed as potentially signaling a continuation of Pope Francis's social justice focus, but perhaps with a more moderate approach. His family's Creole heritage adds another layer to his identity. The question of his baseball allegiance (Cubs vs. White Sox) highlights his connection to Chicago.

Family always knows best, and it sounds like Pope Leo XIV’s lifelong fandom follows a little closer to 35th and Shields.

We pray that in the 13 years that have passed, 12 of which were under the papacy of Pope Francis, that his heart and mind have developed more progressively on LGBTQ+ issues, and we will take a wait-and-see attitude to see if that has happened.

The best way I could describe him right now is that he will be following in Francis’ footsteps.

Not only would we welcome Pope Leo XIV to Wrigley Field, he could sing ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame.’

Pope Leo XIV's election as the first American Pope marks both a historic moment and a potential turning point for the Catholic Church. The selection of the name Leo XIV signals a commitment to social justice, reminiscent of Pope Leo XIII, who laid the groundwork for modern Catholic social thought by addressing workers' rights and critiquing both capitalism and socialism. This suggests a continuation of Pope Francis's focus on the poor, marginalized, and environmental concerns, amplified by Leo XIV's decades of missionary work in Peru and dedication to aiding vulnerable populations like Venezuelan migrants. While seen by some Vatican experts as more of a centrist than his predecessor, Leo XIV's emphasis on building bridges and remaining open to dialogue indicates a desire for unity within the Church. His initial address, delivered in both Spanish and Italian, reflected on his time in Chiclayo and echoed Pope Francis's message of God's love and the triumph over evil. However, he notably refrained from emphasizing his American identity, possibly signaling a desire to be seen as a global leader not beholden to any single nation. Challenges await Pope Leo XIV, including navigating the complex issues of LGBTQ+ inclusion, addressing the Church's history of sexual abuse, and defining the role of women in the Church. While he has previously expressed less welcoming views on LGBTQ+ issues compared to Pope Francis, his actions as Pope will reveal whether he adopts a more inclusive stance. Despite these challenges, his background, experiences, and choice of papal name suggest a papacy dedicated to social justice, global unity, and continuing the work of Pope Francis. And although initial reports leaned toward the pontiff being a Cubs fan, it has been confirmed by his brother and a Vatican spokesperson that Pope Leo XIV is indeed a White Sox fan, bringing a touch of Chicago's South Side to the Vatican.