LISTEN NOW | The Catholic Church witnessed a historic moment with the election of Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, marking the first time an American has ascended to the papacy. This seismic shift in Vatican leadership, following the death of Pope Francis, not only reflects the global reach of Catholicism but also signals a potential realignment in the Church’s ideological and political priorities. Pope Leo XIV’s background, his choice of papal name, and the broader implications of his elevation—particularly in relation to the United States’ political landscape under the Trump administration—offer a rich tapestry for understanding the future trajectory of the Church.