Pope Leo XIV had an initial one-word response when asked by a reporter on Monday if he had a message for his native United States. It left observers wondering if the pontiff would soon have more to say about President Donald Trump’s policies.

A plume of white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling a new pope has been selected following Francis’ death.

"I hope to be able to respond to [the challenges] with a healthy dialogue," said Cardinal Robert Prevost in 2023.

The school's students and staff expressed shock and excitement following the recent election of the first-ever American pope.

Speaking to EWTN News Nightly anchor Catherine Hadro on Monday, Rooney — also a former U.S. representative — said that Leo will be a “fantastic Pope” because he “can communicate with people in a very clear but nonthreatening way.”

Meanwhile, welcome to the real pope, Leo XIV. I’m hoping he puts our toxic mini-me pope’s feet to the fire. And reminds a world still coming to grips with Donald Trump 2.0, that the United States also turns out guys named Robert Francis Prevost, the 267th Vicar of Christ. He has his work cut out for him.

The new pontiff spoke to NBC News anchor Lester Holt, who was part of a news conference for some 6,000 journalists from around the world.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.