Robert Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, and raised in the nearby suburb of Dolton, Illinois. Now known to the world as POPE LEO, he is the first pope to have been born in America, and we American Catholics are not only amazed at his election, but we are also excited about his vision and his voice. I don’t think Catholics ever thought there would be a pope from the US, and yet if we ever did, surely he would have been born and raised in New York City, Washington D.C or San Francisco, CA. But prayer and blessings make more sense in this context: Leo is from Dalton, a small town on the SOUTH SIDE of Chicago, where I was raised …not the North Side, and yes, Leo is super educated!
Pope Francis speaks English, is fluent in Spanish, converses well in Italian and can carry on a conversation in Portuguese, French, German and Ukrainian. He also has a functional knowledge of Latin, the official language of the Holy See, and can read Greek and Hebrew. I took Latin in high school and French in college. At our Catholic Mass, I understand those parts that still use Latin…because I have heard them thousands of times. As for my French, I now can say a few sentences, like: Je suis libre jusqu’à trois heures…which means….I am free until three o’clock. Not very impressive.
A TRULY MODERN POPE
And if you believe in God, or even in karma, surely Pope Leo came to us just at the right time…He takes on trump. Based on April 2026 reports, Leo has engaged in a sharp standoff with U.S. President, calling his actions “unjust” and criticizing the “absurd and inhuman violence” of the U.S.-Iran conflict. Leo stated he has “no fear” of the Trump administration, vowed to continue preaching peace, and warned against those who “manipulate religion… for their own military, economic and political gain”.
Peggy Noonan writes about the moment wacko Paula White-Cain, trump administration’s Faith Office, compared trump to Jesus Christ, her way of getting at his critics, or more to the point…keeping her job. Then Ms. Noonan reminded WSJ readers of the words of Jesus: “Blessed are the meek.” And later: “Blessed are the merciful, Blessed are the peacemakers.” She also reminded us that when trump is claiming, “It has been stated by many that the first month of our presidency…is the most successful in the history of our nation,” that he then bows just a bit, stating that number two was George Washington. The sad reaction to all of this is that trump believes it and acts on it…and many Americans do too.
POPE LEO and TRUTH
I have a friend who likes to say “It’s a God thing.” In these times, Leo’s election is a God thing. We need honesty; we need truth; we need words and guidance from a man of the people…not to mention that he is also now a man of God.
And you do not have to a Catholic, or even have a religion you follow to agree with me. Why?
Because of the very basic instruction that most of us were raised with…and in any language…TELL THE TRUTH.
Liars are always found out. Liars always disappoint. Trying to believe a liar always comes back to haunt you, make you
feel like a fool.
I know some of you reading this might find politics getting in the way, or religion. So I ask you to just consider Leo for WHO HE IS and WHO HE SAYS HE IS…. A child raised in a Chicago suburb of parents who worked hard, Leo advancing in his education because HE also worked hard. A man who believed in his Faith Life and thus followed it. And his goals? To know others, care and help for others while celebrating his belief in Jesus Christ.
AND WHY DOES LEO APPEAL SO MUCH TO ME? My very honest answers: I am a Catholic and Leo is my first American pope. But also…he was born and raised in the SOUTH suburbs. I was born and raised in Beverly on the SOUTH side of Chicago, which is often considered, well, SECOND to the North. Why? Who cares! We have a baseball team, we have the University of Chicago, the birthplace of Michelle Obama and now President Obama’s Library. We have the Beverly Art Center and a great choice of parks, restaurants…the Beverly community also the topic of the book I am currently writing. So once again…thanks for reading.
