Pope Leo: The First American Pope and His Historic Address in English
In an unprecedented moment for the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo, made
history as the first American to ascend to the papacy. Elected as the 267th pontiff on Thursday, May 8, Pope Leo’s first Mass the
following day marked an emotional and culturally significant event for the Catholic community and the world at large.
What truly captivated audiences across the globe was Pope Leo’s decision to deliver his speech in English during his inaugural
Mass. His Chicago accent, unusual for a pope, caught many by surprise and sparked a flood of reactions on social media. The
reaction to the American accent was immediate and overwhelming, with users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) expressing
surprise and even humor at hearing the Pope speak in his native language.