• This brief article studies the Americanness of Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected Head of the Catholic Church.

In May 2025, the Catholic Church elected the former Superior General of the Mendicant (begging) Augustinian Order, Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. This was a historic moment: for the first time, a man born in the United States became the Pope.

While this is especially meaningful for American Catholics, it also connects to a long-standing idea in the U.S. known as “American Exceptionalism.” This term describes the belief that the United States is a special country with a unique role in the world. 

By looking at Pope Leo XIV’s life, we can explore how his American background may shape his role as the head of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, has a rich and diverse background. He grew up in the American Midwest, studied at Villanova University, and became a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, a Catholic group that values community, faith, and service. His American identity is complex. His family has roots in Louisiana, with Haitian and Creole heritage, and he spent many years working as a missionary and bishop in Peru, where he also became a citizen. Because of this, Pope Leo XIV represents not just the United States, but the wider Americas.

In fact, the Vatican considers him the second Pope from the Americas, after Pope Francis of Argentina. Therefore, it is also expected that he will carry on the legacy of the late Pope Francis’s reforms informed by the ideology of liberation theology. 

Some people may view the election of an American Pope as a sign of America’s growing global influence. The U.S. has long seen itself, as early colonial leader John Winthrop once said, as a “city upon a hill”—a shining example for the world to follow. Winthrop was a Puritan lawyer and governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1600s. 

In a famous sermon in 1630, he encouraged the new settlers to live morally and with purpose, believing that the world would be watching them. This phrase later became a key part of how many Americans thought about their country’s special mission. Having an American lead the Catholic Church could be seen as another example of this idea. Some Americans may feel proud, while others around the world might have mixed feelings, welcoming the Pope’s background or being cautious about American power.

But this is not just about symbolism. Pope Leo XIV’s actions and beliefs may reflect certain values often linked to American culture. His Augustinian training, which focuses on service and thoughtfulness, may help him become a practical and open-minded leader. Some observers hope he will be a “bridge-builder,” someone who listens and works with others to solve problems—qualities often celebrated in American society. He has also spoken out on social issues, such as immigration and racial justice, and shown support for movements like Black Lives Matter. These positions match a tradition in American life that values speaking out against injustice and promoting change.

However, Pope Leo XIV is not simply a symbol of American Exceptionalism. His life story challenges that idea in important ways. His long service in Peru and his global experiences show that he thinks beyond national borders. He seems to believe in a Church that belongs to the whole world, not just one country. His willingness to question U.S. policies suggests that his American identity is thoughtful and self-aware—not focused on power, but on shared values and global cooperation.

In the end, Pope Leo XIV represents a mix of identities. He is clearly American, but he is also deeply connected to Latin America and the wider world. People will watch his leadership closely to see how he combines these influences. His unique background could help him reshape what it means for an American to lead a global institution.

Instead of showing dominance, he might focus on listening, building connections, and serving others—offering a new and more inclusive vision of America’s place in the world. It is noteworthy that in his first speech to the world he quoted St. Augustine of Hippo and thus reaffirmed the universality of the Catholic Church, consciously transcending his American roots.

Author Dr Subhasis Chattopadhyay is a theologian.

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