Just days into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV is already making waves. In a bold departure from tradition, he used his first Sunday noon blessing to deliver a powerful and heartfelt message that resonated far beyond the Vatican. Speaking directly to the world’s most influential nations, the new pontiff issued an urgent call for peace in conflict-ridden regions and justice for those who suffer under oppression.
Cardinals gathered beneath the grandeur of Vatican City as Pope Leo XIV made his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on May 8, 2025. The newly elected pontiff stood before a sea of nearly 100,000 faithful, his voice rising from the loggia in a moment of profound significance and global attention.
In his first public address as pope, Leo XIV wasted no time in sending a powerful message to the world’s most influential nations. “I, too, address the world’s great powers by repeating the ever-present call: ‘Never again, war,’” he declared, his words echoing across St. Peter’s Square.
The Pope’s address focused sharply on two of today’s most volatile and heartbreaking conflicts: Ukraine and Gaza. Quoting his predecessor Pope Francis, Leo described the modern era as enduring a “third world war in pieces.”
“My heart carries the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,” he said with solemn conviction. “May everything possible be done to reach an authentic, true, and lasting peace — and swiftly.”
He also called for the release of prisoners of war and the safe return of Ukrainian children displaced by the conflict. Amid the gravity of his message, the pope offered a glimmer of hope, applauding a newly brokered ceasefire between India and Pakistan — a rare beacon of peace in a world fraught with division.
Turning his attention to the Middle East, Pope Leo XIV issued a passionate appeal for peace in Gaza. With urgency in his voice, he called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to suffering civilians. “Let relief come swiftly to the exhausted and wounded people,” he implored, speaking to a world weary of bloodshed.
Sunday’s appearance was steeped in symbolism. From his calm yet commanding presence on the balcony to his pointed call for unity within a deeply divided Catholic Church, Pope Leo signaled that his papacy will be one defined by reconciliation — and by a fearless commitment to speaking truth in troubled times.
The tone Pope Leo XIV is setting reaches beyond the realm of global conflict. Even before his election, the man now leading the Catholic Church was no stranger to scrutiny. In the hours after the white smoke signaled his ascension, a wave of resurfaced tweets drew renewed attention — particularly those taking aim at prominent U.S. political figures.
Among them was a pointed critique of JD Vance, a central figure in the current Trump administration. In one tweet, Leo wrote: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” linking to an article from the National Catholic Reporter. Another post challenged Vance’s interpretation of Christian duty in the context of immigration policy, suggesting a clear divergence from the political narrative espoused by some conservative leaders.
These early glimpses into Pope Leo’s past are now being interpreted as early indicators of a papacy unafraid to wade into difficult moral and political waters — and to challenge powerful voices when they conflict with the Gospel message.
The Pope’s deeply personal stance on immigration was underscored by revealing comments from his brother, Mr. Prevost, who offered rare insight into Leo XIV’s private convictions.
“I don’t think he’ll stay quiet for too long if he has something to say,” Prevost remarked. “I know he’s not happy with what’s going on with immigration — I know that for a fact. How far he’ll go with it is anyone’s guess, but he won’t just sit back. I don’t think he’ll be the silent one.”
Prevost’s words hint at a pontificate that may not shy away from controversy — particularly when it comes to issues of justice, dignity, and human migration. For a world grappling with displacement and division, Pope Leo’s voice could soon become one of the most compelling in the global conversation.
As live news coverage of Pope Leo XIV’s election unfolded, ABC News correspondent Alex Perez caught up with the Pope’s brother, John Prevost, in Chicago — and uncovered a charming glimpse into the pontiff’s early life.
During the interview, Prevost shared a childhood story that, in hindsight, seemed almost prophetic. “The interesting thing — I don’t know how many people will find it interesting,” Prevost said with a smile, “but when he was in first grade, a woman who lived down the street — we used to play with her kids — told us he would be the first American Pope.”
“A woman said that in first grade?” Perez asked, clearly taken aback. Prevost nodded. “Uh-huh!”
The anecdote, lighthearted yet striking in its foresight, resonated with viewers across social media. Comments poured in, many touched by the idea that Pope Leo’s path may have been glimpsed long before the world came to know his name.
Prevost also recounted the last conversation he had with his brother just before the Conclave — a private moment he chose not to fully reveal, but one he said was filled with both gravity and grace. The story painted a portrait of a man long destined for spiritual leadership, and of a family quietly carrying that possibility for decades.
In the ABC News segment posted on May 8, 2025, Pope Leo’s brother, John Prevost, continued his conversation with reporter Alex Perez, recounting the childhood story that now seems touched by destiny.
Still visibly amazed, Perez asked, “A random woman told him he would be the pope?” Prevost laughed and clarified, “Well, they were neighbors — we knew them — but yes! And he already knew at that age he was going to be a priest.”
What may have once seemed like an offhand remark from a neighborhood woman now feels oddly prophetic, casting Pope Leo’s early years in a new, almost preordained light. For many, it’s yet another sign that his rise to the papacy was not just history in the making — but something written long before the world was watching.
The story of young Leo’s childhood “prophecy” quickly spread across social media, where stunned viewers reacted with a mix of awe, reverence, and disbelief.
One commenter wrote, “Wow! He knew from first grade he would be a priest! He was definitely called to that life. And the neighbor’s prediction came true — impressive!”
Another echoed the amazement: “He’s only in first grade and already being prophesied to become pope? That’s mind-blowing 😮🤯.”
A third added, “Wow 😳😳😳, a prophecy on his papacy was dropped when he was just a child.”
But it was the anonymous neighbor’s uncanny foresight that captured the imagination of many. “Need to know if that woman is still around to see this,” one user wrote. “That’s wild — to predict someone will become pope when they’re seven?”
The moment, once just a passing memory in a family story, has now taken on an almost mythical quality — a sign, many believe, that Pope Leo XIV’s journey was destined from the very beginning.
Another viewer simply exclaimed, “WOW! That woman had the gift of prophecy!” The story stirred a deep emotional response across platforms, with many touched by the idea that Pope Leo had understood his spiritual path so clearly — and so early in life.
Commenters expressed admiration for the clarity and conviction he seemed to possess even as a young boy. Words like “surreal,” “amazing,” and “divinely guided” appeared repeatedly, as people reflected on the rare and powerful sense of calling that seemed to shape his journey from the very beginning.
For many, the story didn’t just humanize the new pope — it added a sense of mystery and meaning to a papacy already marked by bold gestures and spiritual resonance.
As the world continues to process the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, his brother, John Prevost, admitted he is still struggling to fully grasp the significance of the moment. “To be honest, there hasn’t been a chance to think about it,” he told ABC News reporter Alex Perez. “It’s been constant phone calls, emails, messages, interviews. So I don’t think it’s really sunk in. It’s kind of surreal.”
Yet, amid the whirlwind, Prevost’s feelings of disbelief are tempered by an overwhelming sense of pride. “This is an awesome thing in the sense that not only is he the first American pope, but the first pope from Chicago — and he’s my relative!” he marveled, still processing the weight of the moment.
When asked if he ever imagined his brother would one day ascend to the papacy, Prevost was candid. “To tell you the truth, no,” he confessed. “I kept hearing that there will never be an American pope because of politics, and the United States has too much world power now.”
Despite the initial doubts, Pope Leo’s election has now become a reality — one that is still settling in for those closest to him, yet is already inspiring millions around the world.
However, after hearing that his brother had made it into a shortlist of three papal contenders, Prevost’s hope began to grow. “Then I thought, well, this could happen,” he shared, reflecting on the turning point that sparked his belief.
The first real glimmers of possibility came, he said, “maybe like a day or two after” Pope Francis’s passing, when speculation about the likely frontrunners began to swirl. It was then that the idea of Leo’s ascension to the papacy began to feel like more than just a distant dream.
Prevost also recalled speaking to his brother just days before the Conclave, on the Tuesday prior to the election. “He just kept saying, ‘No, that’s not true. That’s not true,’” Prevost shared. “He was pushing it away, hoping that it would go away — and it didn’t go away.”
The moment he learned of his brother’s election to the papacy remains vivid in his memory. He was reading a book when a text message arrived with the simple words: “There was white smoke.” His heart raced as he quickly turned on the television and immediately called his niece to share the monumental news.
“We just sat there and watched it,” Prevost recalled of that moment. “Then she said, ‘Look, the curtains are moving.’ I said, ‘Well, something’s coming up.’” As the moment of truth drew closer, Prevost’s niece screamed with excitement when the announcement was finally made.
“I said, ‘Oh my gosh, here we go.’ And then it’s been nonstop — phones, everything else,” he remarked, still overwhelmed by the whirlwind of attention that followed.
Reflecting on the kind of leader Pope Leo might become, Prevost described him simply: “He’s a regular; a run-of-the-mill person.” He attributed his brother’s grounded nature to his missionary training in South America, which he believes shaped Leo’s deep empathy for others.
“He will be looking out for the disenfranchised; he will be looking out for the poor; he will be looking out for those who don’t have a voice,” Prevost asserted confidently. “I think he will follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis — pardon me, Pope Francis.”
While some may wonder how different Pope Leo’s papacy will be from his predecessor’s, Prevost speculated that the shift might not be as dramatic as some might expect.
“I don’t know that you’ll see a big difference,” he noted. Reflecting on the two popes’ shared ideals, he recalled that they had met years ago — Pope Leo was in Peru, while the late Pope Francis was in Argentina. “They kind of believed in the same issues,” Prevost highlighted, suggesting that their common vision for the Church would likely continue.
When it comes to their upbringing, Prevost shared that while Pope Leo spent much of his later youth at religious institutions — from an Augustinian seminary in Holland, Michigan, to Villanova University — their early years in Chicago were marked by the simplicity of ordinary childhood memories.
“He wasn’t home a lot during summer vacations,” Prevost recalled. “But growing up, he was home as a kid. I think we were just regular kids and didn’t really think about that kind of stuff.”
Despite the gravity of what lay ahead, the final conversation between the brothers before the Conclave was, in many ways, refreshingly ordinary — even playful. “First, we do ‘Wordle’ — that’s a regular thing, okay?” Prevost explained with a chuckle. “Then we play ‘Words with Friends,’ just something to keep his mind off life and the real world.”
The exchange that followed was lighthearted, a way to ease the tension of the moment. “I said, ‘Well, do you have your red socks?’” Prevost recalled with a smile. “Just that kind of stuff.”
In an effort to bring some levity to the gravity of the days ahead, Prevost even brought up a recent film. “I said, ‘Well, are you ready for this? Did you watch the movie Conclave so you know how to behave?’”
As it turns out, Pope Leo had just finished watching it. “So, he knew how to behave,” Prevost laughed. These seemingly trivial moments — word games, teasing questions, movie references — were, in truth, a brother’s quiet way of helping the other shoulder the weight of history.
“I wanted to take his mind off of it, and, you know, laugh about something,” Prevost explained. “Because this is now an awesome responsibility.”
As the world turns its eyes toward the Vatican, major media outlets like CNN have been providing continuous coverage of this historic papal transition. In the hours following the announcement, their reporting has highlighted key milestones and global reactions tied to Pope Leo’s election, underscoring the significance of the moment for both the Catholic Church and the world at large.
CNN emphasized the historic significance of the moment, highlighting that Cardinal Robert Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV — has become the first U.S.-born pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church. His inaugural address was delivered from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to a crowd of tens of thousands of faithful.
In his brief yet impactful remarks, Pope Leo paid tribute to his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, and issued a powerful call for global unity and peace, underscoring the Church’s continued commitment to healing and justice across the world.
Coverage has also spotlighted the new pontiff’s unique background. At 69, Pope Leo brings with him a wealth of international experience. Born and raised in Chicago, he spent decades serving as a missionary in South America, and later held Peruvian citizenship while serving as a bishop.
In addition to his missionary work, Pope Leo also oversaw one of the Vatican’s most influential departments — the Congregation for Bishops, responsible for appointing bishops worldwide. His deep experience in both the global Church and in pastoral work has set the stage for a pontificate marked by a broad, inclusive vision. The response from the international community has been swift and celebratory, with leaders and faith communities across the world welcoming the new pope’s election.
CNN reported a cascade of congratulatory reactions from world leaders, including a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump, who described the moment as “a great honor for the country.” Leaders from around the globe have expressed optimism about collaborating with the new pontiff to address pressing global challenges, from peace efforts to humanitarian issues, signaling a hopeful outlook for international cooperation under Pope Leo’s leadership.
The Vatican officially confirmed the historic news on May 8, 2025, through a succinct yet momentous press release issued by Vatican News.
The statement read: “‘Peace be with all of you!’ — the very first words spoken by Pope Leo XIV. The Conclave has elected Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as the 267th Bishop of Rome. The new pope was announced to the waiting crowds by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti.”
Cardinal Mamberti delivered the formal announcement from the central loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica, proclaiming the traditional declaration that reverberated across the square: “I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope.”
His election was revealed with the timeless formula Habemus Papam, signaling to both the city of Rome and the world beyond that a new chapter in Church history had begun.
Vatican News also shared powerful photographs of Pope Leo as he stepped forward to greet the faithful for the first time.
Standing beneath the centuries-old balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica, he offered his Urbi et Orbi blessing — a solemn and sacred tradition that not only marked the beginning of his papacy but also became a deeply symbolic moment of unity, hope, and spiritual renewal for Catholics worldwide.