Папа Лео XIV

This excerpt from Christopher Lamb’s book details the surprising election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in the Catholic Church’s history, following the presidency of Donald Trump. Initially, Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as pope, sparking controversy and heightened interest in the papal election. Despite ingrained skepticism among some cardinals about an American pope, Cardinal Oswald Gracias expressed a surprising openness to the possibility. Robert Prevost, a key figure in the Vatican’s bishop appointment process, emerged as a strong contender, supported by influential cardinals like Cardinal Francis George. The election process itself was marked by subtle political maneuvering and the influence of “kingmakers,” with Cardinal Pietro Parolin emerging as a leading candidate. Despite initial tensions and differing viewpoints within Prevost’s family, particularly his MAGA-supporting brother Louis, the new pope maintained a low-key and unifying approach, demonstrating a commitment to long-term vision and family harmony, even amidst political divisions. Notably, President Trump’s relationship with Pope Leo XIV was marked by respectful ambivalence, contrasting with the warmer engagement between President Biden and Pope Francis.