Cardinal Robert Prevost, the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV, met the College of Cardinals on May 10, 2025. Experts anticipate he will navigate the complexities of his American identity and his global papal duties carefully. While he's expected to address American issues when necessary, his initial focus is on unity and building bridges internationally. His multilingual inaugural address, omitting English, signaled this approach. Despite President Trump's congratulations, Leo's past social media activity suggests potential future critiques of the administration's policies, though he's predicted to maintain a measured approach.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.