The first North American pope in history, Pope Leo, said Friday that his election was both a cross and a blessing when he celebrated his first mass at the Sistine Church (Video: AP.
On Thursday, Pope Leo Xiv was welcomed by the faithful ocean of St. Peter's Square.
Instead, Pope Leo, born in Robert Francis Prevost, introduced himself to the public in Italian and Spanish dialects and greeted the onlookers in person, almost a concise speech on the hope of building bridges and promoting the bishop’s church.
“In his opening remarks, he mentioned it was a missionary church that included everyone, and that was from Pope Francis,” Dennis Doyle, professor emeritus of Dayton University in Ohio, told Fox News digits.
Doyle taught at the University of Catholic Studies for 40 years.
First United States elected Pope, know Pope Leo XIV
Cardinal Robert Prevost, newly elected Pope Leo XIV (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters)
Pope Francis, the 266th Pastor of Christ, created a recognized cardinal in 2023.
"The first major document of Pope Francis was called 'evangel's gaudium', the joy of the gospel," Doyle said.
Pope Leo XIV said in his escape speech: "For all the brothers and sisters in Rome, Italy, we want to be a conventional church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, intimacy, especially for those who suffer."
"Pope Francis' idea of this synchronization is really important," Doyle said.
Villanova graduated from Pope Leo Xiv
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the bishop's county magistrate Dicastery, represents the portrait at the end of the unification, with Pope Francis raising 21 new cardinals on September 30, 2023 at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. (Riccardo de Luca/AP)
He said of Pope Leo fourteen: "For him, in his brief remarks, we must be a conventional church, which is a big signal that he intends to continue much of Pope Francis."
The first American pope pointed out the symbolic nature of Francis and wore traditional costumes, including the red Mozeta and white cassava. Pope Francis had obvious decor on the balcony in 2013, because his first public appearance was elected Pontiff.
"He's showing that he intends to be tradition in some ways," Doyle said. "It would be fun to see if he lives in the floor-occupying palace."
The Pope's apartment in the ground-occupying palace is the official residence of the Pope. Pope Francis violated tradition and refused residency there while living in Domus sanctae Marthae, a place where cardinal voters stayed during a meeting.
The inclusive tone of the new pope sits well with some people in the "America First" movement
On September 30, 2023, Archbishop Robert Francis Prevost, now Leo XIV, received the red Biretta hat from the late Pope Francis. (Photo by Isabella Bonotto/Anadolu via Getty Images)
"In some ways, maybe he'll be different from Francis," Doyle said. "Francis did do something that alienated the traditionalists."
Prevost was appointed on June 19, 1982. During his ministry, Prevost was elected as head of his hometown of Chicago, Augustine, and served as the county magistrate of Bishop Decaster County, as well as other famous champions.
According to Doyle, Rome's latest bishop chose the Roman name "Leo", although it is not clear which of the 13 characters he admires most, Leo, the first Pope Leo and Pope Leo XIII all seem to lead.
Robert Prevost's undated photo, now Pope Leo Xiv, late former Pope John Paul II. (Our good lawyer/handout of Augustine by Reuters)
"Everyone wants to think of Leo XIII first," he said. "You will never know until he says more."
The first American-born pope inspired faith leaders across the country
Pope Leo XIV attended the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican city on April 26, 2025. Pope Francis died on April 21 at the age of 88. Born in Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to become a pope when he was elected in 2013. (Photo taken by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
Pope Leo XII is often known for writing the great Catholic social encyclopedia Rerum Novarum.
"In Latin, novarum is an idiom, which means 'revolutionary change'." "It's like the idiom of revolution. Although, many people just translate it literally into 'new things'."
According to Doyle, the encyclopedia involved the rise of communism and the industrial revolution, including new conditions for workers in the 19th century.
“dio benedica il papa’, other good wishes for the new Pope Leo XIV, Italian
Pope Leo Xiv led the occupation of Sistine Chapel in Vatican City on May 9, 2025. Early yesterday morning, the Vatican saw white smoke in the Vatican, when he elected American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as No. 267. A close friend of moderates from Chicago and Pope Francis will be called Pope Leo XIV. (Photos of Vatican Media/Vatican Pool – Kirbys/Getty Images)
"It starts with a condemnation of socialism," Doyle said. "Although according to socialism, he means we only use the word 'communism' today."
Doyle added: "He condemned it to be disconnected from the law of nature. Because the law of nature will tell us that ownership is a natural thing for human beings; if we make things and so on, we will own property, which is our property."
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Doyle said that Catholic social teaching is general and solves the basic principles about economy and society with a certain space of explanation.
"I think he will be a very balanced pope," Doyle said.