Chicago Cheers as Local Becomes Pope: Obamas React to Historic Moment

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Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have at least one thing in common with the new pope.

In much the same way as the previous president and his wife, Robert Francis Prevost shares a hometown with them, having been appointed Pope Leo XIV on May 8 following a two-day gathering.

Pope Prevost will be the very first to hail from the United States, making him the second in line from the American continents, following his predecessor Pope Francis who passed away on April 11 at the age of 88.

Barack expressed his congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, another Chicagoan, on X, which was previously known as Twitter, following the announcement. He stated that this day marks a significant historical milestone for the United States and he will offer prayers as the new Pope embarks on his sacred mission of leading the Catholic Church and serving as an inspiring example to people of all faiths.

But they weren’t the only Chicagoans celebrating the momentous occasion. 

Brandon Johnson wrote that everything great, even the Pope, hails from Chicago! A warm congratulations to the first American Pope, Leo XIV. We look forward to your return home soon.

As an overjoyed admirer, I can’t help but share the thrilling tale of how our new Pope was elected. After the Vatican observed its traditional nine days of solemn mourning, the stage was set for the selection process. A grand total of 133 cardinals, all under the age of 80, were granted the privilege to cast their votes in this historic conclave. The chosen one needed a supermajority, which meant securing at least two-thirds plus one vote. The anticipation was palpable as we waited for the white smoke to rise, signaling the election of our new spiritual leader.

Instead of the Vatican, they released their decision through a unique method: by setting ablaze the ballots used in the conclave, which caused white smoke to billow from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. This contrasts with black smoke, signifying that the cardinals were still undecided on their choice.

Pope Leo XIV stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, soon after his appointment. Addressing the assembled crowd in a speech translated from Italian, he declared, “The Almighty cherishes us all, and darkness shall not triumph.

With unwavering courage, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, guided by divine grace and our bond as followers of Christ, we march onward. We are the disciples of Christ, He paves the way for us, and the world yearns for His radiant guidance. Mankind longs for Him, a beacon guiding them towards God and His boundless love. You aid us in constructing bridges through dialogue and interaction, enabling us to become one people, forever united in tranquility.

For all the cardinals considered in the most recent conclave, keep reading…

cardinal Pietro Parolin has been serving as the pope francis’s deputy, or second-in-command, since 2014.

As a previous ambassador to Venezuela, this 70-year-old Italian man was responsible for managing internal church matters and shaping the church’s official foreign relations. This extensive experience has made him well-versed in the political landscape of the Roman Catholic Church, both within the Vatican and on a global scale.

However, the selection is not without a hint of controversy, as Parolin has been connected, but not indicted, regarding an investment in a London property deal that ultimately failed. This incident led to Cardinal Angelo Becciu and nine others standing trial for financial misconduct at the Vatican in 2021. (Becciu, who maintained his innocence, was found guilty of fraud and embezzlement.)

Serving as the Archbishop of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, aged 65, developed a strong relationship with Pope Francis as a member of his nine-person consultative body, known as the Council of Cardinals.

Should he be chosen as the next Pope, he would make history as the first to hail from sub-Saharan Africa. However, it’s important to note that his views lean towards a more traditionalist stance within the church. He has publicly disagreed with Pope Francis’ 2023 decision permitting blessings for same-sex couples.

As a devoted follower, I’ve had the privilege to journey alongside Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle through various Asian destinations, and it’s an exciting possibility that he could make history as the first Asian Pope. It’s noteworthy to mention that Pope Francis himself was the first non-European Pope since 741 A.D., so this upcoming conclave holds the potential for more groundbreaking firsts.

Often called “Chito” by his followers, this friendly 67-year-old stands up for the underprivileged, aligning with Pope Francis’ values. Previously serving as archbishop of Manila, Tagle was summoned to Rome by France to lead the Vatican’s evangelization office focused on missionary work.

In a previous turn of events, I found myself on the shortlist for the papal position during the 2013 conclave. However, at just 55 years old, my youthfulness was seen as a potential barrier to my selection.

Matteo Zuppi from Bologna, Italy, who strongly advocates for the church focusing on serving the impoverished, was appointed a cardinal in 2019. There’s speculation that, had such practices been allowed, Pope Francis might have chosen him as his potential successor.

Since 2015, he has served as the archbishop of Bologna and is commonly referred to as “Don Matteo.” Known for his advocacy for immigrants and understanding of their struggles, he also supports the LGBTQ+ community. In 2017, he wrote the introduction for the Italian version of Reverend James Martin’s book titled “Building a Bridge,” which offers guidance on how the church can better serve its members from the gay community.

He was part of a charitable team from the Sant’Egidio Community, which played a significant role in brokering the conclusion of Mozambique’s civil war during the 1990s. Later, Francis appointed Zuppi as his emissary for peace amidst the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

In 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed Peter Erdo, who was then 50 years old from Hungary, as the youngest cardinal at that time. Notably, the present archbishop of Budapest is recognized for his support of Hungary’s Jewish community and for engaging with Catholics in Latin America and Africa. However, compared to Pope Francis, Erdo holds more traditional views deeply rooted within conservative beliefs.

At 72 years old, I’ve found myself expressing views that challenge conventional norms within my community. Specifically, I’ve voiced concerns about the church welcoming migrants and extending communion to divorced Catholics. While Pope Francis didn’t explicitly prohibit this practice, he has shown a willingness to approach such cases on an individual basis. However, it’s important to note that these are my personal thoughts and not necessarily reflective of the broader church community.

Reinhard Marx, aged 71 and currently Archbishop of Munich and Freising, served as a significant advisor to Pope Francis. He presided over the Council for the Economy, a body established in 2014 to scrutinize Vatican finances at a time when the Church felt it necessary to examine its expenditure patterns more closely. Marx remained on the council even after Pope Francis added six women as members in 2020, making him one of only two original members still serving.

Last year in 2021, Marx expressed his intention to step down as archbishop to make amends for the German church’s mishandling of sexual abuse allegations, a controversy that has caused turmoil throughout Catholicism globally. However, Francis chose not to accept his resignation and instead urged him to continue serving.

Cardinal Marc Ouellet from Canada, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, managed the office responsible for selecting diocese leaders globally until 2023. Since 2019, this office has been conducting investigations into bishops who have been accused of hiding the actions of predatory priests worldwide. This means that Ouellet has had to deal with a significant amount of documents related to numerous church leaders.

As a champion for progressive spirituality, I echo the sentiments of Pope Francis, advocating for an expanded influence of women within our faith community. However, much like him, I find myself at odds with the idea of female ordination as priests in our Church.

As a devoted follower, I find myself in a unique position to make history as the first American Pope, should Cardinal Robert Prevost be elected. Born and raised in Chicago, he has spent nine significant years serving the diocese of Chiclayo, Peru. His exceptional work caught the attention of Pope Francis, who called him to Rome in 2023 to oversee the office responsible for vetting bishop nominations worldwide. At 69 years old, Cardinal Prevost also presides as the head of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, a role that strengthens the church’s bond with the region where nearly 40% of global Catholics reside.

As a lifestyle advisor, I’d express it this way:

Having served as the Archbishop of Vienna from September 1995 until January 22, 2025, Christoph Schöenborn has publicly endorsed the concept of civil unions and the role of women as deacons within our faith. Given my personal background, having experienced my parents’ divorce during my teenage years, I can appreciate and support Pope Francis’ efforts to engage with and welcome divorced and remarried Catholics into our community.

In 2010, an 80-year-old criticized the Vatican for not imposing penalties on high-ranking clerics who were accused of sexual misconduct in the past, including his predecessor in Vienna, Hans Hermann Groër, who died in 2003 without being charged. Schöenborn claimed that then-Cardinal Angelo Sodano (who passed away in 2022) was responsible for a cover-up aimed at shielding Groër and downplaying the issue by labeling clerical abuse allegations as mere rumors or gossip.

During Benedict XVI’s tenure as head, the Vatican reprimanded Schöenborn for voicing his opinions, asserting that it is solely within the authority of the Pope to bring charges against a cardinal of such gravity.

75-year-old Anders Arborelius, who embraced Catholicism at the age of 20, made history in 2017 as Sweden’s inaugural Catholic cardinal. Prior to this, the predominantly Lutheran Scandinavian nation transitioned towards a more secular outlook.

A previous member of the Carmelite order recently advocated for unity, stating during an interview with the New York Times, “There’s a risk in certain areas of the church that we may become fragmented over different matters. We shouldn’t create political factions within the Catholic Church.

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2025-05-09 00:47