Pope Leo XIV had an initial one-word response when asked by a reporter on Monday if he had a message for his native United States. It left observers wondering if the pontiff would soon have more to say about President Donald Trump’s policies.

Speaking to EWTN News Nightly anchor Catherine Hadro on Monday, Rooney — also a former U.S. representative — said that Leo will be a “fantastic Pope” because he “can communicate with people in a very clear but nonthreatening way.”

President Donald Trump said the selection of Cardinal Robert F. Prevost to be pope is "a great honor" for the U.S., noting he will be the first American-born pontiff.

Pope Leo XIV has confirmed his favourite football team is Roma after engaging with a fan. The first US leader of the global Catholic Church responded to a Giallorossi supporter by repeating the popular phrase in the capital “Forza Roma!”

Robert Prevost of the U.S. is the new Catholic pontiff, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. The Chicago-born cardinal ministered in Peru and was a member of the Augustinian order.

Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. pope, descends from Creole and free people of color in Louisiana, highlighting complex issues to race and class in American history.

The contrast between President Trump and Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV couldn’t be more stark, politically, personally, or in their world views.

Louis Marius Prevost, the father of Pope Leo XIV, served on a D-Day landing ship during World War II and later became a junior lieutenant for the United States Navy.