Capitol Hill Lawmakers React To Election Of First American Pope: ‘unbelievable’

Fox News caught up pinch respective senators connected Capitol Hill Thursday for their thoughts connected nan predetermination of Pope Leo XIV, nan first American-born pontiff, and galore voiced excitement astir nan historical first.

Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., called nan news "unbelievable."

"If you told maine up of time, I said, ‘No way. Never happen.’ This is phenomenal," said Hoeven. "I've been telling folks they'll ne'er prime an American cardinal to beryllium nan pope. And I thought, you know, possibly location else, but astir apt backmost to Europe. So, this is truthful exciting. I can't judge it."

A personnel of nan Augustinians, a belief bid wrong nan Catholic Church, nan recently elected pope was calved Robert Francis Prevost successful Chicago successful 1955. He studied astatine Villanova University, was ordained a leader successful 1982 and was named a cardinal by Pope Francis successful 2023.

FIRST AMERICAN ELECTED PONTIFF, GET TO KNOW POPE LEO XIV

Senators connected Capitol Hill reacted to nan predetermination of Pope Leo XIV arsenic nan first American pope, galore of them voicing excitement astir nan historical first. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images; Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters; Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for SEIU)

Hoeven called Pope Leo XIV’s action "phenomenal," saying, "American Catholics are conscionable going to beryllium thrilled. I cognize they're conscionable thrilled."

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said, "As an American Catholic, I americium incredibly excited."

Kelly quipped that "as an Arizonan, this is astir apt nan champion prime nan Cardinals person made since Larry Fitzgerald."

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said "we're very proud successful Illinois" and mentioned that she hopes Leo "brings immoderate of his hometown to the Vatican pinch him."

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS FIRST AMERICAN POPE, POPE LEO XIV, IS 'GREAT HONOR'

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of nan United States, appears connected nan pavilion of St. Peter's Basilica astatine nan Vatican May 8, 2025. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters)

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., commented connected a station of Leo's connected X earlier he was elected pope successful which he appeared to knock Vice President JD Vance for his justification for stricter migration enforcement.

"Hopefully, nan caller pope tin usage his pastoral powers successful bid to thief JD Vance and Donald Trump understand their responsibilities representing nan astir powerful and wealthiest federation successful nan world," Markey said. "To guarantee that we besides protect those who are nan astir susceptible and astir successful need."

The legislator asserted that Leo "will proceed nan bequest of Pope Francis" and that "this caller pope channels that history of nan Catholic Church, opinionated up for those who are astir successful request against those who are astir powerful."

VILLANOVA GRAD REACTS TO FORMER CLASSMATE BEING NAMED FIRST POPE FROM UNITED STATES

Pope Leo XIV steps retired arsenic nan first American Pope astatine nan Vatican Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Vatican Media)

Despite Markey’s assertions that Leo will travel successful Francis’ footsteps, nan caller pope has already differed from his predecessor successful respective ways, including taking nan much accepted sanction "Leo" and by wearing nan accepted reddish cape of nan papacy, which Francis chose not to deterioration aft his predetermination successful 2013.

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After emerging to reside nan crowd assembled successful St. Peter’s Square Thursday, Leo’s first words were "Peace beryllium pinch you," which he said successful Italian. He delivered a connection to nan religious connected building bridges, bid and speech "without fear."