As 'Born in the U.S.A.' plays, American cardinals in Rome celebrate Pope Leo XIV
Share this @internewscast.com

ROME (AP) — Songs like “Born in the U.S.A.” and “American Pie” played loudly as six cardinal electors from the United States gathered in Rome on Friday to discuss the historic election of the inaugural U.S.-born pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost.

“I took a look at Bob … and he had his head in his hands and I was praying for him, because I couldn’t imagine what happens to a human being when you’re facing something like that,” shared Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, recalling the moment just after casting his vote in the Sistine Chapel. “And then when he accepted, it was like it was made for him.”

The day after the Chicago-native Prevost ascended as Pope Leo XIV, the cardinals convened on a stage adorned with the Stars and Stripes and a Vatican flag at the Pontifical North American College. This hilltop institution for U.S. seminarians is just a short walk from St. Peter’s Basilica, where Leo delivered his first speech to the world on Thursday evening as the new head of the Catholic Church’s global community of 1.4 billion believers.

The cardinals highlighted how his American nationality wasn’t a deciding factor, especially in the most geographically diverse conclave in history, though many rejoiced in it.

“The fact that he was born in the United States of America, boy, that’s a sense of pride and gratitude for us,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York said.

But Dolan and others added that Leo’s experience as an Augustinian as well as ministry in Peru — where he also acquired citizenship — and leading the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops made him a “citizen of the world.”

“In a very real sense, Cardinal Prevost in his life has been at his core a missionary, in every way,” Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington said.

They also said that Leo could build bridges to all world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump. U.S. Catholic bishops have had a fraught relationship with Trump, especially over the crackdown on immigration, and Pope Francis had sparred with Trump since he first was a presidential candidate.

But cardinals in the conclave 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,” Cardinal Wilton Gregory said.

Earlier, the first U.S. Black prelate to assume the rank of cardinal had joked that he and Leo had chatted “from one south sider of Chicago to another.”

The United States had 10 voting cardinals in the conclave, the second-highest number of any country after Italy. Four of them currently serve as archbishops in the U.S. — Blase Cupich of Chicago as well as Dolan, McElroy and Tobin. Joining them were archbishops emeritus Gregory and Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston in Texas, as well as French Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States.

They urged the faithful to see the conclave not as a political campaign, but as a grave choice driven by the Holy Spirit for a global spiritual leader.

“This wasn’t our first rodeo,” said Dolan, referring to the church’s election of more than 260 popes in its 2,000-year history.

He said that the “ecstasy” in the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday night exploded when the much-expected “ Habemus Papam ” — Latin for “we have a pope” — rang out from the loggia, even before the new pope’s identity was revealed.

“There will be a man at the window on Sunday … papa is back,” Dolan added, referencing the blessing that popes have long bestowed on the crowds on Sundays, and which Leo — “il papa” in Italian — is scheduled to deliver on May 11. “It’s the office of the successor of St. Peter that endures.”

Several of the men referred to the man — who they’ve known for years as Bob or Robert — by his papal name, Leo. On Friday, they joked with each other and the journalists — including Dolan and Tobin saying that the conclave might have have been short, because the first night’s meal wasn’t conducive to sticking around.

But they highlighted that ultimately what delivered a majority in less than 24 hours stemmed from discernment and the grace of God.

“We were able to treat each other with great respect, to listen to each other during the congregations beforehand, and then when it came time for voting, things seemed to just jell and go in a direction that set us on a path of unity,” Cupich said. “If only the rest of us, in our lives and in the world, could have that mad dash to unity that we seemed to have in conclave.”

___

Colleen Barry contributed to this report from Soave.

___

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.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Camp Mystic Recreation Hall damaged by flood.

Heartbreaking Story of How a 9-Year-Old Camp Mystic Victim Was Identified After Floods, Revealing Her Bravery

ONE of the youngest victims in the Texas floods was identified by…
Walmart dairy aisle with various yogurts on shelves.

Consumers Advised Against Eating Yogurt Contaminated with Plastic in Oreo and M&M Varieties

SHOPPERS are being warned to stay away from a popular yogurt brand…
Watch What Happens on the House Floor After Speaker Johnson Announces OBBB Passage

Breaking News: Speaker Johnson Discusses Epstein Documents

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has been reported by Politico on…
Oklahoma livestock farmer killed by water buffaloes he purchased just one day before fatal attack

Oklahoma Farmer Fatally Attacked by Water Buffaloes He Bought the Day Before

A farmer from Jones, Oklahoma, suffered a fatal attack by two water…
Will There Be a Season 2 of ‘Ballard’ on Prime Video?

Is ‘Ballard’ Getting a Season 2 on Prime Video? Here’s What We Know

We’re currently watching a ton of new television. Like, an embarrassing amount.…
Menendez brothers bank on new trial as backup if parole bid fails

Menendez Brothers Consider New Trial as Alternative if Parole Attempt Fails

The notorious Menendez brothers, who notoriously murdered their parents with a shotgun…
US inflation hits new high amid Trump's tariffs

US Inflation Soars to Record Levels as Trump’s Tariffs Take Effect

On a monthly basis, prices climbed 0.3% from May to June, after…
How to combat 'Ozempic mouth' and 'Ozempic teeth': dentist

Dentist’s Guide to Addressing ‘Ozempic Mouth’ and ‘Ozempic Teeth’ Issues

Buccal up! GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro can lead to…
A Florida county leads the way with a high-tech 911 system that improves emergency response

Florida County Revolutionizes Emergency Services with Advanced 911 System

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — In the event of an emergency within Collier…
Illegal migrant enters plea in crash that killed boy one day before his 12th birthday

Undocumented Immigrant Pleads Guilty in Crash That Killed Boy a Day Before His 12th Birthday

A woman who was in the U.S. illegally admitted to causing a…
The Walt Disney Company scores 137 nominations for the 77th Emmy Awards! "The Bear," "Andor," and more get recognized

Disney Secures 137 Emmy Nods! “The Bear,” “Andor,” and Others Shine at the 77th Awards

LOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney company earned an exciting 137 nominations…

Shocking Message Received by Travis Decker Doppelgänger Before Unintentionally Triggering Search for ‘Killer’ Father in New State

THE hiker mistaken for missing murder suspect Travis Decker has opened up…