First ever American pope delivers speech in English during first mass and everyone’s saying the same thing
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history, has sparked reactions with his Chicago accent during his inaugural mass. Born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the 69-year-old pontiff delivered his speech in English, surprising many who weren’t prepared for an American-accented pope. Social media erupted with mixed responses, with some users humorously struggling to reconcile the traditional papal image with his U.S. twang. Comments ranged from disbelief—”The Pope should not be an American”—to curiosity about the cultural shift his election represents.
A moderate in Catholic doctrine, Pope Leo shares his predecessor Pope Francis’s focus on social justice, immigration reform, and poverty alleviation. Known for criticizing Donald Trump’s immigration policies, he has also addressed climate change and supported greater roles for women in the Church. While his past statements on LGBTQ+ issues were conservative, it remains unclear if his views have evolved. Elected after a swift 24-hour conclave, his papacy marks a historic moment for the Vatican and the global Catholic community.
