U.S. Cardinal Joseph Tobin described the moment inside the conclave when he saw ‘Bob’ realize he was going to be elected pope.
ROME, Italy — As six cardinal electors from the United States convened in Rome on Friday, the air was filled with songs like “Born in the U.S.A.” and “American Pie” playing from speakers. They had gathered to discuss the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the first pope born in the U.S.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin described a poignant moment during the voting process in the Sistine Chapel, saying, “I glanced at Bob, who had his head buried in his hands, and I offered a prayer for him. When he finally accepted his new role, it seemed perfectly suited for him.”
Following the historic election of the Chicago-born Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, the cardinals assembled on a stage adorned with the U.S. flag alongside the Vatican flag at the Pontifical North American College. This seminary for American students, situated just a short distance from St. Peter’s Basilica, served as the backdrop for Leo’s inaugural address to the Catholic Church’s worldwide congregation of 1.4 billion members on Thursday evening.
The United States had 10 voting cardinals in the conclave, the second-highest number of any country. Four of them currently serve as archbishops in the U.S.: Tobin of Newark, New Jersey; Timothy Dolan of New York; Blase Cupich of Chicago; and Robert McElroy of Washington.
“In a very real sense, Cardinal Prevost has been in his life at his core a real missionary, in every way,” McElroy said.
Joining them were retired archbishops Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston in Texas, and Wilton Gregory of Washington, as well as French Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Several of the men referred to the man they’ve known for years as Bob or Robert by his papal name, Leo. Others said that his American nationality wasn’t a factor — he also holds Peruvian citizenship.
Cardinals were most concerned with “who among us can bring us together, who among us can strengthen the faith and bring the faith to places where it has grown weak,” said Gregory.
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
