The hometown of Pope Leo XIV, Dolton, Illinois, in the United States, was surprised by the first appearance of the pontiff on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday (8).
Born Robert Prevost, the 69-year-old former ministerist, became the first American to lead the Catholic Church after Pope Francis’ death.
Born in Chicago and with double Peruvian citizenship, Predost studied theology in the US before decades of work abroad.
“He got the same diploma I’m about to get,” said Gardis Watts, a student of the Catholic theological union and resident of Dolton.
“It’s a very good time for me. I share some similarities to the Pope,” he added.
The student also commented that he did not expect a pontiff with this nationality: “I never imagined that an American Pope was elected during my life.”
Others were surprised to learn that a future Pope lived in the neighborhood. “It’s nice to know that someone like this has lived here,” said Jasmine Ramirez, resident of Dolton.
In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV went to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, offering a message of peace.
President Donald Trump congratulated him quickly for becoming the first US Pope. “What a thrill and what great honor for our country. I look forward to knowing Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very significant moment!”
However, the new Pope has a history of criticism of the policies of Trump and Vice President JD Vance, according to Robert Prevost account X publications.
This content was originally published in residents of Pope Leo XIV’s hometown celebrate the American’s choice on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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