Fox News caught up with several senators on Capitol Hill Thursday due to their thoughts on the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, and many others about the elections of many historic first excitement.
Senator John Haven, Rn.D. called the news “incredible.”
“If you told me in advance, I said, 'It's never going to happen.' This is phenomenal,” Hoeven said. “I've been telling people that they'd never choose American cardinal to become pope, and perhaps somewhere else, they're probably back in Europe. So this is so exciting. I can't believe it.”
The newly elected Pope, a member of the Augustinians, a religious order within the Catholic Church, was born in Chicago in 1955 to Robert Francis Prevast. He was appointed priest in 1982 and cardinal in 2023 by Pope Francis.
Learn about Pope Leo XIV, the first American elected clergyman
Senator Capitol Hill responded to Pope Leo XIV's election as the first American pope, many of whom expressed historic first excitement. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images; Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters; Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Seiu)
Hoeven called Pope Leo XIV's choice “amazing,” saying, “American Catholics will just be excited. They know they are just excited.”
D-Ariz. Senator Mark Kelly said, “As an American Catholic, I'm extremely excited.”
“As Arizonan, this is probably the best pick the Cardinals have made since Larry Fitzgerald.”
“We are extremely proud of Illinois,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth of D-Ill, and Leo “hopes that a part of his hometown will be brought to the Vatican with him.”
President Trump says that the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV, is “great honor.”
On May 8, 20025, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV will be appearing on the balcony of St. Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican, with Cardinal Robert Prebust. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters)
D-Mass. Senator Ed Markey commented on Leo's X's post before he was elected.
“Hopefully, the new Pope can use his idyllic powers to help J.D. Vance and Donald Trump understand their responsibility to represent the world's most powerful and wealthy nation,” Markey said. “We also ensure that we protect the most vulnerable and most needy.”
The senator argued that Leo “continues Pope Francis' legacy,” and that “this new Pope leads the history of the Catholic Church and stands up for those most in need against the most powerful.”
Villanova Grad responds to his former classmate being nominated as the first pope of the United States
Pope Leo XIV will be out as the Vatican's first American Pope on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Vatican Media)
Despite Marquis' claims that Leo follows in Francis' footsteps, the new Pope was already different from his predecessor in several ways, including adopting the more traditional name “Leo” and wearing the traditional red cape of the Pope that Francis did not wear after the 2013 election.
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After appearing to deal with the crowd gathered at St. Peter Square on Thursday, Leo's first words were “peace with you,” he said in Italian. He “fearlessly” conveyed his message to faithful people about bridges, peace and dialogue.
