Millions of people around the world were stunned when Pope Leo XIV was elected earlier this year as the first American-born pontiff, but one Vatican correspondent was not.
Christopher White was one of the first to suggest that Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago’s suburbs, had a chance of ascending to the highest position within the Catholic Church, and he’s describing the conclave that yielded that result in his new book “Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy.”
Even before the conclave gathered in Rome, White had an idea Pope Leo XIV may be the pick.
“I was laughed off by many people,” he said. “Even by some bishops!”
White has covered the Vatican extensively, even flying on papal trips with Pope Francis, and he had met with then-Cardinal Prevost, giving him insight ahead of the conclave.
“The cardinals would want to take someone who had the same vision and priorities as Pope Francis, but find someone who probably would be more of a manager, more cautious, and have a different personality,” he said.
Pope Leo was elected after just four votes, and his support quickly came together.
“This was a conclave with 133 people from all over the world, 70 countries represented, and they lined up behind him,” White said.
Now that Pope Leo is at the helm of the church, does White expect big changes in church policy?
“He said he believes women and lay people need to have a greater role in the selection of Catholic bishops,” he said. “That doesn’t mean he supports any chance of women being priests.”
White also said he believes Pope Leo wouldn’t consider making a trip back to Chicago until 2027 at the earliest, based on his reporting. After getting settled in at the Vatican, it’s expected Pope Leo’s first trip will be in November to Turkey. It’s also expected he would travel to Latin America and South America in the near future, specifically to Peru, where he spent one-third of his life.