ROME — As the sound of iconic American tunes such as “Born in the U.S.A.” and “American Pie” resonated through the venue, six cardinal electors from the United States congregated in Rome on Friday. Their gathering was a moment to reflect upon the historic election of Cardinal Robert Prevost, marking the first time a Pope originates from the United States.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin from Newark, New Jersey, poignantly described the overwhelming moment following his vote in the Sistine Chapel: “I took a look at Bob … and he had his head in his hands and I was praying for him. It’s unimaginable what a person experiences at such a pivotal point,” Tobin remarked. Following Prevost’s acceptance, it became evident that this role was truly destined for him.
After the momentous ascension of the Chicago-born Prevost to Pope Leo XIV, the cardinals reconvened at the Pontifical North American College. The venue, decorated with both the Stars and Stripes and the Vatican flag, provided a platform near St. Peter’s Basilica. It is here that Pope Leo addressed the global faithful of the Catholic Church, numbering 1.4 billion, for the first time.
The cardinals emphasized that while Leo’s American origin was a point of pride, it wasn’t a decisive factor in the selection process, which was the most geographically diverse conclave to date. Cardinal Timothy Dolan from New York expressed, “His American roots indeed provide a sense of pride and gratitude.”
Dolan and his colleagues acknowledged that Leo’s extensive ministry experience in Peru, where he also became a citizen, and his leadership in the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, rendered him a true “citizen of the world.” Cardinal Robert McElroy commented on Leo’s mission-driven life, stating, “Cardinal Prevost has inherently been a missionary in every sense.”
The cardinals emphasized Leo’s potential to bridge relations with global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump. Previously, U.S. Catholic bishops had complex interactions with the Trump administration, notably concerning immigration policies. Additionally, Pope Francis had public disagreements with Trump since his candidacy.
However, the cardinals’ primary concern was identifying a leader who could unify and invigorate the faith. Cardinal Wilton Gregory articulated the focus as finding someone who could “bring us together” and “revitalize weakened faith.” Gregory jestingly noted his camaraderie with Leo, sharing a bond as fellow “south siders of Chicago.”
The United States boasted ten voting cardinals in the conclave, trailing only Italy. Among them, four were serving archbishops in the U.S., including Blase Cupich of Chicago, along with Dolan, McElroy, and Tobin. Additionally, archbishops emeritus like Gregory and Daniel DiNardo from Galveston-Houston, Texas, were present alongside French Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the U.S.
They called on believers to regard the conclave as a solemn spiritual choice rather than a political endeavor. “This is far from our first experience,” Dolan said, noting the church’s longstanding history of over 260 papal elections.
Recollecting the explosive joy in St. Peter’s Square upon the pronouncement of “Habemus Papam” — signifying “we have a pope” — Dolan recounted the ecstatic celebration that ensued. He added, “The legacy of St. Peter’s successor endures as ‘papa’ returns to the window,” referencing the traditional Sunday blessings, with Leo scheduled for May 11.
Many cardinals continued to use Prevost’s papal name, Leo, when speaking of him. Amid laughter, Dolan and Tobin joked that the conclave was abbreviated, possibly due to an uninspiring first night’s meal. Nevertheless, they agreed that divine guidance facilitated the swift decision in under 24 hours.
Cardinal Cupich remarked, “We treated each other with utmost respect and, once voting commenced, a unified direction became clear.” He aspired for such unity in broader contexts: “Could we all, in our lives, approach unity as quickly as we did in the conclave.”