Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, said he expects Pope Leo XIV "feels an obligation," to speak to what he called the issues of the day, amid "real challenges globally."

The Cardinal's selection of Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American, as the 267th Pope of the Catholic church, following just two days and four votes made history.

"He is an American, but he's an American who has a really international experience," said an assistant professor at St. Louis University.

Erik Pohlmeier, bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, is one of many welcoming Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old Chicago native, as Pope Leo XIV, the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Pohlmeier described the appointing of the first American Pope in history as a “great honor,” in a public statement issued by the diocese.

Fr. Thomas Reese used to be certain no American would be elected pope. Now, he admits, he has been proved wrong with this new American — and Peruvian — pope, and speculates: What kind of pope will Leo XIV be?

Pope Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903, led the church into the modern world, emphasizing its moral authority beyond national boundaries. He defended the rights of working people and affirmed the value of science.