Taylor Cusimano
Contributing Writer
When white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney in Vatican City on May 8, signaling the election of a new pope, cheers erupted around the world, and, in Santa Barbara, bells rang in celebration. The Old Mission Santa Barbara marked the historic moment by raising flags and chiming its bells in honor of Pope Leo XIV, the newly chosen leader of the Catholic Church.
Formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago in 1955, making him the first American-born pope in the church’s 2,000-year history. In addition to his American roots, he is also a naturalized citizen of Peru, where he held several positions in the Chiclayo diocese for over a decade. His cross-cultural background has raised hopes for a papacy that bridges perspectives from around the world.
With the recent passing of Pope Francis—admired for his compassion and efforts to make the church more accessible—Pope Leo inherits big shoes to fill. “People felt like they could connect with [Pope Francis]. They felt heard, listened to, and respected no matter what walk of life they came from,” said Suzanne Grimmesey, spokeswoman for the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Health, in an interview with News Channel.
On the UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus, the news of Pope Leo’s election has sparked conversations among students. “I’m not Catholic, and I haven’t followed it super closely, but it’s definitely cool that he’s American. Especially since I’m from Chicago too,” said Kayla Scott, a third-year global studies major to The Bottom Line. “My friends and I have actually been talking about it more than I expected. It just feels closer to home.”
Though born in the United States, Pope Leo doesn’t exactly embody the typical American identity, and that may have helped him secure the role. Despite graduating from Villanova University and having deep roots in Chicago, his long-standing ties to Peru add to his global appeal. Still, the media has largely embraced the “American pope” narrative, with many emphasizing his Chicago upbringing as a defining part of his story.
“It was unexpected,” said Father Michael Ronayne of Old Mission Santa Inés in Solvang to Noozhawk. “But we know he is a very capable and intelligent person with a wealth of experience and talent. As part of the Old Mission and Catholic faith, we are thrilled to have a new pope who brings fresh perspectives.”
The milestone election also comes at a time of heightened global tension, particularly amid the ongoing destruction in Gaza. “When the pope is concerned about people in Gaza, I think it awakens the moral conscience of all of us,” said Mark Juergensmeyer, a UCSB professor and religion scholar, to News Channel. “[Pope] Francis was contacting priests in Gaza almost up to the time of his death. Almost every day, he would have a chat with priests there. I expect this pope also to have a concern. Whether it will be the same concern remains to be seen.”
For many at UCSB and beyond, Pope Leo’s American background makes the papacy feel a little closer, a little more relevant. And while the future of his leadership is still unfolding, the historic nature of his election has already made waves, from the Vatican to the Central Coast.
This article was updated to correctly state how much time Pope Leo spent in Peru. It previously said two years, which has been corrected to over a decade.