Capitol Hill lawmakers react to election of first American pope: ‘Unbelievable’

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

Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., called the quality "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 the pope. And I thought, you know, possibly determination else, but astir apt backmost to Europe. So, this is truthful exciting. I can't judge it."

A subordinate of the Augustinians, a spiritual bid wrong the Catholic Church, the recently elected pope was calved Robert Francis Prevost successful Chicago successful 1955. He studied astatine Villanova University, was ordained a clergyman 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 the predetermination of Pope Leo XIV arsenic the archetypal American pope, galore of them voicing excitement astir the historical first. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images; Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters; Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for SEIU)

Hoeven called Pope Leo XIV’s enactment "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 the champion prime the Cardinals person made since Larry Fitzgerald."

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

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

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

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

"Hopefully, the caller pope tin usage his pastoral powers successful bid to assistance JD Vance and Donald Trump recognize their responsibilities representing the astir almighty and wealthiest federation successful the world," Markey said. "To guarantee that we besides support those who are the astir susceptible and astir successful need."

The legislator asserted that Leo "will proceed the bequest of Pope Francis" and that "this caller pope channels that past of the Catholic Church, lasting 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 the archetypal American Pope astatine the Vatican Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Vatican Media)

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

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After emerging to code the assemblage assembled successful St. Peter’s Square Thursday, Leo’s archetypal words were "Peace beryllium with you," which helium said successful Italian. He delivered a connection to the faithful connected gathering bridges, bid and dialog "without fear."