Pope Leo XIV had a one word comment about the USA. Credit: Vatican Pool / Getty
Upon being elected as the 267th pope on May 8 — just days after the conclave began following Pope Francis’s death on April 21 — Cardinal Prevost chose the name Pope Leo XIV.
His choice nods to Pope Leo XIII, a reformist remembered for pushing modern Catholic social teaching through his landmark 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum.
“Looking to the history, Leos were strong popes,” explained Vatican spokesperson Father Vito Crincoli. “Like Leo XIII, he loved his people. His people, he considered man not a machine. A man’s work was a reflection of his dignity.”
In his first words as pope, Leo XIV addressed the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Italian, saying: “Peace be with all of you. Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you.”
He followed up with a message of unity and compassion: “We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges (and) dialogue, always open to receive (people), like this square, with open arms — everyone, all those who need our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.”
He also took a moment to switch to Spanish to thank his former diocese in Peru, calling them “a loyal people” who “shared its faith and has given a lot.”
Given that Leo XIV is the first Pope from the USA, people are naturally keen to get his thoughts on the state of the country.
The 69-year-old Chicago native made global waves after his cryptic one-word response when asked if he had a message for the United States: “Many.” Then he added: “God bless you all,” per Newsnation.
That was it. No elaborate sermon. No papal speech. Just one mysterious word and a vague blessing — and social media lit up like a Vatican Christmas tree.
“Pope Leo really just dropped the coldest mic ever and left the world guessing,” one user posted. Another added: “This wasn’t a message this was a warning disguised as a blessing and I’m shook.”
A third summed it up simply: “The most menacing thing I’ve seen a pope say in my entire life.”
Despite their contrasting vibes, U.S. President Donald Trump was quick to congratulate the new pope.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
But Trump might want to take a closer look at Leo’s social feed.
In April, Pope Leo re-shared a pointed comment criticizing U.S. and El Salvadoran leadership over immigration policies: “Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed?”
And back in 2018, he reposted Cardinal Blase J. Cupich’s searing critique of family separation at the border: “There is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages. This is being carried out in our name and the shame is on us all.”
He also shared an article this February titled: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
