Chicago-born Pope Leo, 69, made history not only as the first American pope but also by delivering part of his first Mass on May 9 in English—a break from tradition.
Elected on May 8, Pope Leo spoke with a notable Chicago accent, catching global attention. Social media buzzed with reactions to hearing an American accent from the Vatican pulpit, with many expressing surprise and humor.
Typically, new popes speak in Italian or Latin, but Pope Leo’s choice of English was seen as a nod to English-speaking Catholics and his U.S. roots.
His multilingual homily emphasized unity, hope, and missionary outreach, urging the Church to serve faithless regions and confront materialism. His English usage reflects both personal authenticity and an effort to connect globally in a modern, inclusive papacy.
