So… Is He Really the First American Pope?

 

Carolyn called in asking what you may be asking:

 

-Was Cardinal Prevost (now Pope Leo XIV) picked to help increase Catholic faith in America? 🤔

 

-And can we please settle whether he counts as an “American Pope” already?

 

Fr. Simon’s take: Let’s not overthink it. The Cardinals didn’t elect him because of some PR strategy for America. They elected him because "they knew him, trusted him, and saw a man who loves Jesus deeply"... a love that's even visible in the way he bows his head at the Holy Name. 🙇‍♂️❤️

 

“They knew what they were getting. And what they were getting was a man who bows at the name of Jesus.” – Fr. Simon

 

 

🌎 American? South American? Midwestern? South Side of Heaven?

 

Now about that “American” label...

 

Fr. Simon lovingly roasted the obsession with national labels. Yes, our new Holy Father is from Chicago’s South Side, speaks flawless Midwestern English, perfect Spanish, and spent much of his life serving the poor in Peru. But do we really need to put a flag on the papacy?

 

He's not the “American Pope.” He’s the Universal Pope: the head of a Church that isn’t defined by ethnicity or nation. 💒

 

Fr. Simon reminds us:

 

-We are citizens of heaven, not defined by earthly borders.

 

There’s no such thing as the American Catholic Church... just Catholics in America.

 

Catholic = Universal. Not Democrat. Not Republican. Not even Bears vs. Packers. 🏈✝️

 

 

Fr. Simon wrapped up with some humor:

 

“He’s from the South Side. He probably roots for the Sox. And maybe the Bears. 

 

“I served in Puerto Rican parishes most of my life. Does that make me Puerto Rican? Nah, it made me more German somehow.” 😂

 

 

 

 

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

 

So&hellip; Is He&nbsp;Really the First American Pope?
&nbsp;
Carolyn called in asking what you may be asking:
&nbsp;
-Was Cardinal Prevost (now Pope Leo XIV) picked to help increase Catholic faith in America? 🤔
&nbsp;
-And can we please settle whether he counts as an &ldquo;American Pope&rdquo; already?
&nbsp;
Fr. Simon&rsquo;s take: Let&rsquo;s not overthink it. The Cardinals didn&rsquo;t elect him because of some PR strategy for America. They elected him because "they knew him, trusted him, and saw a man who loves Jesus deeply"... a love that's even visible in the way he bows his head at the Holy Name. 🙇&zwj;♂️❤️
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="938" data-end="1057">
&ldquo;They knew what they were getting. And what they were getting was a man who bows at the name of Jesus.&rdquo; &ndash; Fr. Simon
&nbsp;
</blockquote>
<hr data-start="1059" data-end="1062">
&nbsp;
🌎 American? South American? Midwestern? South Side of Heaven?
&nbsp;
Now about that &ldquo;American&rdquo; label...
&nbsp;
Fr. Simon lovingly roasted the obsession with national labels. Yes, our new Holy Father is from&nbsp;Chicago&rsquo;s South Side, speaks flawless Midwestern English, perfect Spanish, and spent much of his life serving the poor in Peru. But do we really need to put a flag on the papacy?
&nbsp;
He's not the &ldquo;American Pope.&rdquo; He&rsquo;s the Universal Pope: the head of a Church that isn&rsquo;t defined by ethnicity or nation. 💒
&nbsp;
Fr. Simon reminds us:
&nbsp;
-We are citizens of heaven, not defined by earthly borders.
&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s no such thing as the American Catholic Church... just Catholics in America.
&nbsp;
Catholic = Universal. Not Democrat. Not Republican. Not even Bears vs. Packers. 🏈✝️
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1967" data-end="1970">
&nbsp;
Fr. Simon wrapped up with some humor:
&nbsp;
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s from the South Side. He probably roots for the Sox. And maybe the Bears.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;I served in Puerto Rican parishes most of my life. Does that make me Puerto Rican? Nah, it made me more German somehow.&rdquo; 😂
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.
&nbsp;

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

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