"Yankee Pope": The American Popery Divide - A Mix of Surprise and Controversy
U.S. Citizens Take Pride in Their Pope Figure, Yet Not Universally Adored
In the heart of the United States, the media is abuzz with the selection of the new Pope. This time around, it's not your typical conservative pick. President Trump and his vice extend their congratulations, but not all are pleased.
A wave of disbelief and anticipation sweeps across all channels. US television networks are as taken aback as the rest of the world: Cardinal Robert Prevost is the new Pope, an American, marking the first time. "A man hailing from Chicago, Americans will say," notes a Vatican televangelist. Meanwhile, the South Americans view him as "a man from Peru."
The US President is tickled pink. "It's an esteemed honor for him to be the first American Pope," Donald Trump tweets on Truth Social. Trump, who considers himself a Christian though not Catholic, is eager to meet the new Pope, he writes: "It will be a momentous encounter!"
The Grandeur of the Globe's Shepherd
According to polls, around 20 percent of Americans identify as Catholics, with other Christian denominations, predominantly Protestantism, dominating. The Catholic Church has faced profound crises in the United States recently, with several abuse scandals unveiled - the crimes that were covered up for decades.
"Everything Lit, Even the Pope"
The topic continues to swirl about Pope Leo XIV, who spoke Spanish in his inaugural address, expressing his gratitude to his Peruvian faith community. A commentator states that Leo will be a global Pope, not an American one. For Catholics in the US, this may be a moot point at the moment, she adds.
Beyond the Pond
CBS interviews a couple from the US state of Illinois live on St. Peter's Square. They are not Catholics, but they're still exhilarated: They happened to be in Rome anyway, they say, and didn't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime moment. A Pastor from Chicago knew the new Pope when he was still a young seminarian in Michigan. "In my estimation, my classmate understands it," he said to the "New York Times," and sounded surprised: "They chose a good person."
The mayor of the US metropolis of Chicago was equally effusive, writing, "Welcome home soon, everything cool, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!" Leo XIV was born in Chicago in 1955.
"A Marxic Pope Like Francis"
In February, Robert Prevost posted an article online criticizing Trump's right-hand man, JD Vance. Vance, who converted to Catholicism as an adult and was baptized in 2019, congratulated the Pope regardless, writing, "I am confident that millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful tenure at the Church's helm."
The Conservative Influencer Laura Loomer, a Trump whisperer of the MAGA faction, struggles to comprehend the new Pontiff's background. "He's against Trump, against MAGA, for open borders, and a Marxic like Pope Francis," she rants. Catholics can't expect anything good from him, she concludes. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk counters that the new Pope is a registered Republican and has always voted Republican.
Teddy from New York stands on the steps of his university, his eyes widen as he speaks about the new Pope: "I should be studying for an exam," the 55-year-old tells ntv.de, his voice trembling. "But I haven't studied, I was completely engrossed by the Pope." He's not even religious, but the whole spectacle was undeniably enthralling.
The Rising Smoke of Change
Veronica from the state of Texas finds the rising white smoke to be symbolic of purity and hope: She and her daughter Jessica watched daily to see if a decision had been made. "A beautiful tradition, whoever conceived it."
"The Pope the Church Needs"
In Rome, the fascination of Americans with the Catholic Church becomes palpable as the CBS correspondent prepares to bid farewell, after all the elation on St. Peter's Square. Visibly moved, he says, "This - he makes a sweeping gesture - the Vatican, older than 2000 years, older than any person. Much older than the USA. And this institution has decided: 'An American Pope, that's the Pope the Church needs.'"
A few months after Joe Biden's departure from the White House, an American is elected Pope for the first time, carrying a certain irony. Biden is a devout Catholic and the second Catholic president in US history after John F. Kennedy. The Democrat attends church every weekend. For the funeral of Pope Francis, the 82-year-old and his wife Jill traveled to Rome. He narrowly missed the historical moment for the USA and American Catholics as President.
POPE LEON XIV'S POLITICAL STANCE:
- Criticism of Trump's Immigration Policies
- Criticism of JD Vance
- Advocacy for inclusive, moderate policies with sensitive social concerns
- Distance from the MAGA movement
Sources: ntv.de, lwe/rpe, with dpa
- Catholic Church
- Churches
- Religions
- Donald Trump
- J.D. Vance
- USA
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the new focus on health and safety in the workplace.
- The pope, having addressed social issues in his inaugural speech, shows a commitment to lifestyle issues, such as fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, and pets.
- The lifestyle changes brought about by the pandemic have sparked an interest in travel, with people planning their next trips once restrictions ease.
- Cars played a significant role in the transportation of people during the pandemic, allowing for social distancing while traveling.
- The surge in online shopping to avoid crowded stores increased sales for books, education-and-self-development, personal-growth, and mindfulness materials.
- The migration of workers to remote areas due to the pandemic caused policy-and-legislation discussions regarding the rights and responsibilities of employers in providing resources for remote work.
- Increased screen time during the pandemic led to concerns about productivity and career-development, as well as the impact on mental health.
- The rise of casino-and-gambling, particularly in online formats, coincided with the shift towards work-from-home setups.
- The surge in casino-games, such as blackjack, big-wins, slots, lotteries, and roulette, contributed to a rise in gambling trends, causing discussions on responsible-gambling practices.
- The increase in social-media usage during the pandemic gave rise to a deeper connection with celebrities and the entertainment industry.
- Movies-and-tv productions saw a boom during the pandemic, with a shift towards streaming services and at-home entertainment.
- The pandemic brought about a renewed interest in war-and-conflicts documentaries, sparking discussions on global issues and peace-building efforts.
- Education-and-self-development courses on productivity and career-development became popular, with a focus on skill-training and goal-setting.
- Sports took a backseat during the pandemic, but the rise of online games and e-sports provided an alternative outlet for competition and sportsmanship.
- Football enthusiasts followed European leagues, such as the Champions League, Premier League, and European leagues, to keep up with their favorite teams.
- The pandemic also affected American Football, with a renewed focus on responsible-gambling practices and the impact on mental health.
- Serie A and Laliga also saw a surge in popularity, as people sought new entertainment options during the pandemic.
- The Las Vegas strip, a hub for casino-culture and entertainment, experienced a quieter period during the pandemic, but the potential for a revival remains.
- The impact of the Las Vegas myths and gambling trends on popular culture and casino personalities became a topic of discussion.
- Celebrities and policy-makers also played a role in shaping the ongoing discussion about the entertainment industry, celebrities, and responsible-gambling practices.
- The pandemic also had a significant impact on general-news reporting, with a focus on crime-and-justice, accidents, fires, and learning opportunities.
- As people spent more time at home, they emphasized the importance of goal-setting, learning, and responsible-gambling for personal growth.
- Awareness was raised about the importance of setting goals and making the most of the time spent at home through online education, job-search, and skill-training.
- The impact of car-accidents on politics and the need for responsible driving practices became a topic of discussion.
- Online education became essential during the pandemic, with many classes transitioning to virtual formats.
- Job-search algorithms were influenced by the pandemic, with a focus on remote work and skill-training for the digital age.
- The rise of poker and roulette, traditional casino-games, was closely watched amid discussions on responsible-gambling practices.
- Casinos and gambling establishments began to adopt responsible-gambling policies in response to growing concerns about addiction and its impact on society.
- The debate regarding responsible-gambling practices extended to phone and online gaming, involving apps, slots, and lotteries.
- The history of Las Vegas and its gambling trends continued to shape the city's culture and identity.
- Entertainment and casino personalities from the past continued to influence pop-culture, particularly in movies, music, and literature.
- Sci-fi-and-fantasy genre discussions often revolve around the impact of technology, politics, and entertainment on society, including responsible-gambling practices in a rapidly changing world.
