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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Pope Leo XIV Makes History as First American Pontiff; World's First U.S. Born Pope Now Leads 1.4 Billion Catholics; Pope Leo XIV Makes History As First American Pontiff; Group Calls On New Pope To Enact "Universal Zero Tolerance" For Clergy Sex Abuse; New Pope Leo XIV Calls For Church To "Build Bridges". Aired 8-9p ET

Aired May 08, 2025 - 20:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DAN IVES, GLOBAL HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, WEDBUSH SECURITIES: It is a beautiful hourglass and actually it's probably going to be a lot more expensive after the tariffs --

PETER TUCHMAN, TRADER AT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE: It may be made in China --

IVES: -- But the idea speaks to --

TUCHMAN: --it took a while to get here.

IVES: Exactly, but I think and Tuchman -- but, Erin, it speaks to like we need to see the details on the deals this weekend. That's the key.

ERIN BURNETT, CNN HOST: All right, thank you both very much. I'm looking forward to forward to seeing that hourglass. And thanks so much to all of you for being with us on this historic day. I'll be back tomorrow morning at 5:00 A.M. to cover Pope Leo's first mass. AC360 begins now.

[20:00:37]

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST, "ANDERSON COOPER: 360": For the first time ever, a Pope from Chicago, the first from the United States, and only the second after Argentina's Pope Francis from the new world.

Robert Prevost, Pope Leo XIV, facing his followers for the first time. Good evening.

Today, in one of the oldest of old world ceremonies still in practice, 133 Cardinals chose the next leader of the Catholic Church. And though he is said to be in many ways a natural successor to Pope Francis. Vatican watchers have long doubted the chances that an American would be elevated to the papacy.

Though in some ways the Chicago-born Villanova educated, dual U.S. Peruvian citizen straddles continents and perhaps easy categories. In the hour ahead, we'll look at who he is, what he believes, and what he may face in leading the church. But first, how it looked and sounded as a cardinal named Bob became Pope.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice over): The Seagulls hardly noticed what the whole world could not miss, that the smoke on the Sistine Chapel roof brought news. It came at first from thin air, then in Latin, a language of the church, but far older than that.

CARDINAL DOMINIQUE MAMBERTI: "Annuncio vobis gaudium magnum."

COOPER (voice over): The first words brought a hush, then a roar, as the Square and 1.4 billion members of the Catholic faith all around the world understood what was coming and waited for this.

CARDINAL MAMBERTI: "Habemus papam."

COOPER (voice over): Habemus papam -- we have a pope. Historic words. Then, in the very next breath. History made.

CARDINAL MAMBERTI: "Eminent. Reverendissimo dominum. Dominum, Roberto Franciscum, Sanctae Romani ecclesiae Cardinale ma Prevost."

COOPER (voice over): Robert Cardinal Prevost, American of Chicago, South American by way of Peru and the first all-American pope.

It took two days of voting for the Conclave to make its choice, and for Saint Peter's Square, which has gone in just weeks from Easter celebration to the mournful majesty of burying one Pope to ring out in joy again at the naming of the next.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

COOPER (voice over): Leo XIV, his name, according to the Vatican, a nod to Leo XIII, who ushered in the church's modern social mission and was Pope for some 25 years before he died in 1903.

This Leo, our modern day Leo, came to the balcony wearing the traditional red cape that Pope Francis refused, and though raised in the U.S. and looking out on more than a few people waving American flags, he spoke first in Italian, then in Spanish, but not English.

POPE LEO XIV, CURRENT HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND SOVEREIGN OF THE VATICAN CITY STATE: (through translator) Peace be with you all. Dearest brothers and sisters, this is the first greetings of the resurrected Christ, the Good Shepherd who has gave up -- given up his life for God. And I should also like this greeting of peace to enter our hearts and your families, and to all those people, wherever they are. All peoples throughout the world, peace be with you.

COOPER (voice over): He thanked Pope Francis, who was a close ally. He pledged to lead a missionary church, a bridge building church. Then in Spanish, the language of both Francis and his adopted country, Peru. The new Pope closed with this.

POPE LEO XIV (through translator): And I should like to therefore pray together with you. Let us pray for this new mission for the entire church and for peace in the world, and let us ask for this special grace from Mary, and our God. (END VIDEOTAPE)

[20:05:16]

COOPER: Joining me now, CNN Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb, who witnessed this historic day overlooking Saint Peter' Square.

What did it feel like to be there in that moment? And were you surprised that he did not speak in English? What do you think the message being sent through that was?

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, I think there was a message there. Of course, the first American Pope addressing the crowd in Italian and Spanish, referencing in particular his diocese in Peru that he led for many years. So, I think there was a clear message to say that, yes, he is an American Pope, but he's a Pope who spans national borders.

I have to say, I was stunned and very surprised when I heard that Cardinal Prevost had been chosen as Pope Leo XIV. There had been some speculation of his candidacy, that he was looking strong. I had reported that, and I had heard from several Cardinals that there could be an American Pope, and that nationality was not going to be a handicap, as it might have been in the past for other strong candidates from the U.S.

But when I heard that Prevost had been chosen, it really was a huge surprise, a stunning moment -- Anderson.

COOPER: And what more do we know about his -- what kind of a Pope he may be? I mean, whether it's based on personality, ideology, beliefs. How is he expected to lead the church?

LAMB: Well, I think he's going to continue in the line of Francis when it comes to church reforms. He made that clear from the speech from the balcony. I think he's going to try and be a unifier. I've met him when he was a Cardinal, met him once in the Vatican, and it was clear then when I spoke to him.

He was a very thoughtful person, a good listener. And I think he's renowned as, you know, a methodical and capable administrator. I think the big thing that he is going to be tasked with doing is institutionalizing the reforms that Pope Francis has started, whether it's around the role of women, whether it's in terms of a more inclusive church where it's not just the bishops leading the church, but the people also being part of the mission of the church.

I think that's going to be a very important to him, but also, his choice of Leo after Leo XIII, I think a nod and a sign that he wants to be a pope who speaks out for the rights of workers for the poorest economic injustice. Of course, the Leo XIII was the main Catholic social teaching Pope.

COOPER: Just quickly -- do you know if he's going to live in the Apostolic Palace or like Pope Francis, lived in the in the more modest guest house? Sort of a lot of pressure on that decision, I guess. LAMB: Well, that, yes, that's a big decision for him. I think tonight he's going to be in the Casa Santa Marta. We've just seen some video of him going back to his old apartments in the Vatican near the Casa Santa Marta, I think, to collect some belongings, and I presumably bless some people and greeted them there.

He's got to make a decision about that. That's very significant. But I think he'll be in the Casa Santa Marta for the time being and then make a decision later on.

COOPER: All right, Christopher Lamb, thanks very much.

Perspective now from Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, host of the "Godsplaining" podcast and editor of the Catholic magazine, "Our Sunday Visitor." Elise Allen, CNN Vatican analyst and senior correspondent for Crux Now, Father Edward Beck, CNN religion contributor. And Bruce Feiler, author of "Walking the Bible" and many other great works.

Father Briscoe, Let me just start off with you. You were in Saint Peter's Square for the white smoke, the address. What was that like? Father Briscoe, can you hear me?

FATHER PATRICK MARY BRISCOE, HOST OF THE "GODSPLAINING" PODCAST: I can, Anderson, and it's great to be with you here.

COOPER: What was it like to be there?

FATHER BRISCOE: It was extraordinary, I was just consumed by disbelief. I couldn't believe that it was actually happening. I heard his name. I heard it clearly. And I turned to a colleague of mine just to confirm it because I was in such a state of shock.

You know, the conventional wisdom was that it wouldn't be an American. That's what we were all told, that it wouldn't be an American. But here we have this Pope who's not only from the United States, but really is a citizen of the world. And it was just such an exciting moment to see him show up there on the Loggia.

COOPER: Elise, I sat in your apartment, your beautiful apartment in Rome, and with your amazing husband, John Allen, who I miss terribly. And a lot of names were being bandied about as potential people. There were a lot of theories. Were you surprised by this?

ELISE ALLEN, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: You know, Anderson, a part of me was simply because, you know, I thought when the vote came this fast, maybe there could have been consensus on him. You know, he wasn't one of the main frontrunners, you know, going into this.

So when it came to that, I was surprised that there had been agreement on Cardinal Prevost so quickly. You know, but the cardinals seemed to have clear in their minds what they were looking for. He fits a lot of, you know, the bill of what they're looking for is somebody that is seen as a global figure. He has a lot of experience.

Obviously, he's American, but he has experience abroad. He also has experience inside the Vatican. So he has -- you know, he spent a time in a lot of different areas and a lot of different contexts in the church. He's seen as a good manager. So it really made sense. And I think the Cardinals obviously came to a very quick and easy agreement on that.

[20:10:39]

COOPER: Father Beck, you've crossed paths with him in the past. What are your thoughts tonight?

FATHER EDWARD BECK, CNN RELIGION CONTRIBUTOR: I was amazed, Anderson, when it was announced.

COOPER: Did you ever think there'd be an American Pope in your lifetime?

FATHER BECK: I did not. No, I didn't, and especially one that we went to the same theological school and we had the same scripture professor who texted me before it, what if it would ever could be him, and there it was. But I was -- when he walked out and he talked about being a bridge builder, I was struck that he did wear the Mozzetta. So, it's kind of a bridge between the progressives and the traditionalists, I thought.

COOPER: You think that was a message?

FATHER BECK: I think it was a message -- and the name that he took is about social justice. I mean, he worked with migrants, with immigrants. He's really is a peace builder. So all of the issues that he really cares about, he's worked for and it's Pope Francis' vision, the social vision of the church. I mean, it may differ on some other things, but I think he's really going to try to be that bridge builder that Pope Francis was.

COOPER: Do you think, Bruce, that the choice of the name Leo is a is a statement of something?

BRUCE FEILER, AUTHOR "WALKING THE BIBLE": I do think it's a big -- I do think it's a very big statement, okay. So, if you look back, you know, Leo became -- Leo XIII was the Pope in the 1880's and the 1890's. That was a period of massive change in the world.

First, it was a period of -- it was really the tipping point of Secularism coming out of Darwinism. Religion was challenged. It was also a period of incredible migration, right, 25 million people came from Europe to America, and then another 25 million people moved from rural areas to big cities.

Chicago was one of those big cities. Chicago became sort of --Chicago was the big 19th century city, in 1893, the Chicago World's Fair. Leo was Pope during that time and what happened in that time was that the Catholic church got a new mission, which was to serve all of these people confused by secularism, got destabilized by moving, flooding into cities. And Leo XIII, whom the Leo XIV has studied, said this was the mission of the church to serve people destabilized. This is an equally destabilizing time. And I think he sent the message both in the name and then also the statement that he made, you know, in Saint Peter's Square today that he's going to be here to serve people who are confused and lost and suffering and worried and that's so many of us today.

COOPER: Father Beck, do you think that's true?

FATHER BECK: I do think that's true. And I think what we will see in this man is someone who is going to continue -- remember, he was a missionary, and so he has spoken out about immigration and migrants, climate change, two big issues of France. He's critiqued the current Vice President and President on their stances on immigration. So, I think he's going to be vociferous in these social issues.

I think he may not be as satisfying to some people who are looking for these big doctrinal changes, just as Pope Francis wasn't really satisfying to those people.

COOPER: Father Briscoe, what do you envision for what lies ahead?

FATHER BRISCOE: Well, what I found so amazing is that when Pope Leo stepped out on the Loggia and he said to us all, peace be with you all. He gave us something very inspiring, very spiritual, because he clarified that the peace that he was offering was peace given in the name of Jesus Christ, peace given in the Risen Christ.

This is a man who's really a disciple, a man who's going to offer us, again the richness of Catholic spiritual teaching, who's going to pave a way for us to come to know God better and to love God better. And that, for me was extremely satisfying to know immediately seeing him that I had a spiritual father, someone I could look to, someone who would lead me along in the way of the Gospel.

COOPER: Elise, you met Pope Leo a few months ago. What were your impressions of him?

ALLEN: You know, actually, my husband and I had him over to dinner at our house. You know, my husband, you know, has been on the Roman scene for a long time. And, you know, just knowing him, he had known him from when he was still just a priest, you know, in Chicago and also in Peru.

So, we offered the invitation, and he graciously accepted, you know, and I'd say he's very kind. He's very down to earth. He's a very good listener. He has a good sense of humor. He doesn't take himself too seriously, but he does take what he does seriously and that was very clear.

So, it was really a nice moment, you know, and I think he's probably more shocked today than anybody else. I actually bumped into him on the street a couple of months ago when the Pope was in the hospital, and he said he didn't think this was going to happen. You know, I asked, are, you know, you're being put out there as a papa -- do you think, you know that's going to happen? And he said, no, they're never going to let an American -- so, I'm writing his words today.

[20:15:23]

COOPER: Yes, Bruce Feiler, what -- do you think there will be a lot of different -- I mean, will there be some differences in, you know, Father Beck talked about how Francis, you know, opened up kind of a dialogue, and yet there were not doctrinal changes. Do you see doctrinal changes? Do you see this as sort of a you know, people have talked about him as Leo as a good administrator.

FEILER: I do think that one of the reasons that he was selected is -- I do think it's a victory for Francis, right. Because it's not the radical change possibility that was before us. At the same time, it also addressed some of the weaknesses of Francis, right. Because he is a good administrator. He knows how to read a spreadsheet. I talked to someone today who knows him well. He knows how to read a spreadsheet.

COOPER: But it's also surprising to me that a Conclave which was made up of people, the majority of whom were put in by Pope Francis, who came from the Global South, not the Global North, did choose an American yet an American who spent much of his life in Peru and didn't speak English in his first public statement.

FEILER: And to me, that's what I thought when the shocking moment came, right. The word Catholic means universal. The Catholic church introduced the idea. Judaism had been a regional religion before it, and the Catholic church introduced it.

Today, a massive -- this felt to me like something that had been building for 2,000 years. He's an American pope, but he's a North American and a South American pope. And it's now been 1978 was the last Italian, right. We've now had Polish, German, Argentine, American and Peruvian. Today felt to me like the most global Conclave elected, the most global candidate.

COOPER: Bruce Feiler, thank you, Father Beck, as well. Elise Allen as well. Say hi to John for me and Father Briscoe as well.

A lot more ahead tonight, including a live report from Chicago where the Pope was born and reaction from Catholics around the country.

Also, an acquaintance and former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See joins us with his take on the cardinal he knew and the history he's now making.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[20:22:07]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPE LEO XIV (through translator): Brothers and sisters of Rome, of Italy, of the entire world, we must be a Synodal church, one which goes forward and which always seeks peace, charity and to be close to those who suffer.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COOPER: Pope Leo XIV from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica. For most people, it's likely the first time hearing his voice, the voice of an American and by birth of Chicagoan. CNN's Whitney Wild is in Chicago for us tonight. What's the reaction been there like?

WHITNEY WILD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, their surprise is only outmatched by their sheer delight to see one of their own assume this leadership role in the church, the head of all of the church. It was right here in this building behind me, Anderson, where he lived for a period of time in Chicago, living, working, praying and developing the minds of future Augustinian leaders.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FATHER JOHN LYDON, DIRECTOR OF FORMATION, ORDER OF ST. AUGUSTINE: Pope Leo actually worked here after he was our prior general.

WILD: Does this feel different now?

FATHER LYDON: Well, it's like a holy space. Were very hopeful that his spirit will come and help guide our students so that they have the same values that he has, and for the reason that the Holy Spirit picked him to be the Pope.

WILD: Is there anything special we should look at or see?

FATHER LYDON: Well, yes. This cross is symbolic of our mission in Peru. It's called the Cristo Campesino, but it represents Peru. It represents the poor and the people that work the land. This is the heart of the community, which is the chapel where the community gathers to pray in the morning, have mass. This is where Pope Leo would have celebrated mass and prayed here in the community.

WILD: Every morning, he gave the mass?

FATHER LYDON: Yes, this is where we sit. We first pray what they call morning prayer, which is the Psalms. There's a kitchen there. He was actually a cook. He liked cooking.

WILD: He was?

FATHER LYDON: Yes. In Peru he was -- would make pizzas for us in the house. He was a --

WILD: Oh, really?

FATHER LYDON: Yes.

WILD: Wow.

FATHER LYDON: Because he studied in Italy. So, he knew -- he learned how to make pizzas.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WILD: A Pope of many talents, Anderson. One thing that Father John Lydon, who we interviewed insisted upon is that we are not to think of pope Leo as an American Pope. Instead, he said he is American born, but he is universal. He has a global mindset. One of the key things that will make him a distinguished Pope among the other 266, he is now the 267th Pope -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right, Whitney Wild, thanks so much.

Joining me now is former Florida Congressman, Francis Rooney. He's also a former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See and has known Pope Leo since the 1990s. Ambassador, can you first of all, did you ever imagine you would know a Pope?

FRANCIS ROONEY, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE HOLY SEE: No, I never did. Nor did I imagine there would be an American pope.

COOPER: What's your history with Pope Leo? What kind of a person did you find him to be?

ROONEY: Well, we became acquainted with what we used to call Father Bob when he became head of the Midwest Augustinians in the late 90's and our children attended an Augustinian school in Tulsa. And I was on the board, and he came down to the monthly board meetings.

In fact, I went with a bunch of Augustinians from Tulsa to watch his investiture as the head of the Midwest Augustinians. Then, lo and behold, President Bush sent us to Rome, my family and Father Bob was over there because he'd become head of all the Augustinians. So, we saw him a couple of times a week for several years when we were in Rome.

[20:25:46]

COOPER: And I understand he was at your house last winter. What's it like seeing someone you have personal history with? I mean, were you watching it live? Did you see him come out there? And did you know right away who he was? It was incredible. Never thought I'd see something like that. To see someone you know that well become the Pope. And he's going to be a fantastic Pope.

He's very balanced, he's judicious, he's calm, but he's also very smart. And he knows things that the church needs that have been talked about previously on your show.

COOPER: What kind of Pope -- I mean, can you elaborate on that? What kind of a Pope do you think he will be? Because obviously, I'm fascinated by this Conclave, which was, as I said before, the majority of them picked by Francis from the global south, not from Europe, not from the West. And yet they did pick somebody who was an American, though he'd spent all this time in Peru and to Whitney's point, is really international.

ROONEY: He is international. He spent so much time in Peru and he spent so much time in Rome like all that time we were over there with him. And I think that he's going to deliver a lot of the same messages of Pope Francis, but in a much more delicate way, maybe less confrontational at times, although he's going to be willing to mix it up on issues like immigration and the treatment of disadvantaged people.

I would expect him to continue Pope Francis' work there. But he also brings an organizational skill, which the church sadly needs right now in terms of its finances and the organization of the Curia. And, you know, the Augustinians have never had any organizational challenges or problems because they've had good leaders like Pope Leo, and he'll deploy those skills now.

COOPER: Yes, well, I really appreciate your time tonight. Thank you so much, Ambassador Francis Rooney.

Coming up next, we have a live reporting from Rome and CNN's David Culver, who was in the crowd at Saint Peter's Square when history was made.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was completely overwhelmed. I just started crying. I think I'm about to again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[20:32:40]

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: It was Divine Word College Seminary in Iowa where students and staff watched as the new Pope was announced. We're back with more of our breaking news on the election of Leo XIV, the first American Pope.

CNN's David Culver was with the crowd in St. Peter's Square when the white smoke first emerged from the Sistine Chapel signaling the cardinals had made their choice.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

DAVID CULVER, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Whoa!

(CHEERING & APPLAUSE)

CULVER: What are you feeling in this moment? You're emotional.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. We're so emotional because we were expecting to be here at this moment and we are finally here.

CULVER: You were just passing through?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We were --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We were feeling it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We were feel -- that we knew it. We have to come here, so, yes, that's right. CULVER: And you can still see the smoke?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. White smoke finally.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. My mom is calling me on.

CULVER: Oh, go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm just completely overwhelmed. I've just started crying. I think I'm about to again. We have a new father and we'll in a few moments be introduced to him.

(APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: American Pope in Italy. Like that doesn't -- that's never happened.

CULVER: I don't think I have seen so many smiles in one place and tears at the same time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, yes, yes, yes. That's -- I mean, we're going to have a spiritual father again, you know, as Catholics, and also kind of for the whole world.

(APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Being able to witness this life is the best birthday present ever.

CULVER: It is your birthday, right?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Today is my 25th birthday, yes.

CULVER: Happy birthday.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, thank you.

CULVER: You've got a Pope.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And now we have an American Pope.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Something that we'll remember for the rest of our lives.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEOCLIP)

CULVER: -- to be here in the midst of all that, I mean, it's rather lonely here now. But I think as you saw, it was jam-packed, tens of thousands of people. And everybody finds a way to have some sort of connection to it. And it's not just those from the U.S. who say the first American Pope.

We've had folks who are Latinos who come up to me and say, wow, really, he's a Pope of the Americas, and they've made a point of that.

[20:35:01]

And it's interesting being here in St. Peter's Square. I mean, I was thinking about you because you were here almost two weeks ago covering a very somber event. And a seminarian here said, you're filled with grief in this moment, too, because you're still thinking about Pope Francis. And so people were filled with tears, but at the same time had smiles on their face. And so it's this very strange clash of emotions they're battling.

COOPER: Yes. Amazing day.

David Culver, thanks so much.

This morning before the conclave elected Pope Leo, the group SNAP, the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, released a six-page open letter to whomever would become the next pontiff. It calls for a "universal zero tolerance law enacted into canon law, removing all abusers and complicit officials" and other actions by the church.

Past allegations have resurfaced against Leo before he even became a cardinal, involving how he handled abuse claims against other priests here in the United States and Peru.

Randi Kaye tonight has more.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

RANDI KAYE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Not everyone is celebrating Pope Leo XIV. Even before he was named pope, survivors of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church had been speaking out against him and others who they believe inadequately responded to alleged sexual abuse within the church.

PETER ISELY, SURVIVOR OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE AND ASSAULT BY A ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST: We are here today because we are standing up for our dignity and our honor.

KAYE (voice-over): Just yesterday, the Survivors Network for Those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, held a press conference in Rome, sounding the alarm about abuse in the Catholic Church.

ISELY: Because that shame that we carry is not ours. That shame belongs with the hierarchy and it belongs with the Vatican. This cover-up and what's been going on is shameless.

KAYE (voice-over): In March, the group had sent a letter to Pope Francis mentioning then-Cardinal Francis Prevost at issue, two different cases of alleged sexual abuse by priests in Chicago and Peru. In 2000, when Prevost was a provincial supervisor in Chicago for the Augustinian Order, SNAP says he allowed a priest accused of abusing at least 13 minors to live at the Augustinian Order's St. John's Stone Friary in Hyde Park, half a block from an elementary school.

That priest, Fr. James Ray, had been barred since 1991 from performing parish work and barred from being alone with minors since 1990. Restrictions the Archdiocese of Chicago noted when it asked Prevost to allow Ray to live at the friary. This is according to a complaint to the Vatican just six weeks before Prevost was named Pope.

CNN has reached out to the Chicago Diocese for comment. More recently, there have been questions about what Prevost knew about abuse allegations at the Chiclayo Diocese in Peru. He served there for nearly a decade until 2023. In that case, two priests were accused of molesting three young girls, sisters, between 2007 and 2015.

SNAP says the future pope had promised but failed to open an investigation. The Vatican denied any wrongdoing by Prevost, according to published reports. Following the announcement of Pope Leo, SNAP's spokesperson said, now that he's the pope, we're gravely concerned.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COOPER: One other note on the subject, Rodolfo Soriano-Nunez, a sociologist in Mexico City who's written extensively about the Roman Catholic Church and its handling of clerical sexual abuse, said that for any failings, the new pope was one of the few bishops in Peru who tried seriously to address sexual abuse by priests, setting up a commission to deal with some cases.

Much more hit tonight on this history-making night. More reaction to the election of Leo XIV is the 267th pope of the Catholic Church, the first one from the United States. What the faithful are saying here in the U.S. coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[20:43:38]

COOPER: Celebration in Vatican City and for 1.4 billion members of the Catholic faith, the cause for a celebration around the world, New Yorkers and visitors alike gathered for mass tonight at St. Patrick's Cathedral here in New York City. They've been coming in ever since the news first broke.

CNN's Brynn Gingras is there for us. So what's the reaction been like at St. Patrick's?

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Anderson. At that mass there was a flag, an American flag and the Vatican flag. The priest saying that there is so much hope and celebration that this is the new pope, an American pope.

I can tell you, we actually got here to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the heart of New York City, after that smoke billowed from the chimney, but before anybody knew who the actual pope was. And all of the stairs here at St. Patrick's Cathedral filled with people who had come here waiting to hear who that new pope would be. And when it was announced, there was just screams, applause. Someone yelled, "He's American. He's American". I want you to hear more from people who we talked to on the steps here at St. Patrick's.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When it was announced that this is an American pope, we just go, oh gosh, he's just -- so grateful, so thankful.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was such a big moment, having an American pope. It's something new, something we haven't seen before.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And now having an American, it's really exciting. It's a really big deal.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

GINGRAS: Yes. And, you know, I talked to one woman, Anderson, who said she was up by Central Park and she doesn't have much faith anymore in the Catholic Church, even though she is Catholic. And she said she came here looking for inspiration, and she felt it, knowing that there is this new leader of Catholics.

[20:45:12]

And that's something we have heard from many people we spoke to throughout the day today, was everyone has so much hope for this new leader of the Catholic Church and really just people of all faiths across the globe. Anderson?

COOPER: Brynn Gingras, thanks very much.

Joining me now is Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi of New York. We had spoken in Rome when he was part of the bipartisan group of lawmakers attending Pope Francis' funeral. It seems like a long time ago to me that that occurred. It's nice to see you here under these circumstances. What was your reaction?

REP. TOM SUOZZI (D), NEW YORK: I was shocked, like everybody else, I think. I was just surprised. And. you know, you heard all the people giving their opinions. And somebody I listened to is Bishop Barron, who's the most followed Catholic on social media after the pope. And he was like, oh, it'll never be an American.

COOPER: Really?

SUOZZI: The Americans are, you know, have the strongest economy and technology and culture with movies and things like that. They're not going to have them do religion, too. And he said, I was wrong.

COOPER: Although this pope has certainly, I mean, spent so much of his life in Peru, did not, you know, chose not to speak English in his opening statements, which I think, you know, is a very strong message.

SUOZZI: Yes, I think the whole idea of him being a pope from the Americas, not just North America, but South America as well, is a very important message as well, considering all the things that are going on in America right now.

COOPER: And elected by a majority of cardinals from the global south.

SUOZZI: Right. So this is really an exciting time for us here in the United States, for Catholics, for Americans, for people all over the world, especially when he's going to continue this message that we've got to love each other and we've got to forgive each other and we shouldn't judge each other. And, you know --

COOPER: There was a social media account in the name of Robert Prevost that shared an article. They got a lot of pickup today saying JD Vance is wrong. Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others. And it refers to comments that the vice president had made about what's known as the order of charity in Scripture.

That account, if it is him or not, I can't confirm it, but we posted articles over the years expressing criticism of the first Trump administration. How do you think this -- does this impact politics? I mean, now there's another American who is got a global audience. President Trump certainly is, you know, probably the most powerful person in the world or one of them. This Pope has a tremendous amount of power. He's American.

SUOZZI: You know, it's basic Catholic teaching, Christian teaching, Pope Francis, now Pope Leo, that we have to look for the face of God in the poor, in the homeless, in the immigrants, in everyone. And, you know, we really have to love each other, everybody, and especially the people that are most vulnerable.

COOPER: There were some conservative Catholics who were not huge fans of Francis as they -- or not as much as they liked some other popes. I'm wondering, what -- do you think this Pope, Leo, will sort of reach out to them or send a -- it seems like even in the vestments he was wearing, some have pointed out, those vestments Francis wouldn't have worn, he did wear, do you think he's kind of sending a message?

SUOZZI: Well, I'm sure that everything he does will send a message. But I -- our hope is that he'll unify the church and he'll be able to spread a message to everybody of these basic teachings. And that's an exciting idea.

COOPER: Do you think it's going to have an impact on Catholicism in the United States, the popularity of it?

SUOZZI: I hope so. You know, I think Catholicism is a good idea and we should have more people get interested in it. And more idea -- the more of the people love each other, the more they forgive each other, the better things are.

You know, but this pope, you know, believes in the importance of the immigrants. But he also believes in secure borders. He believes that, you know, there's too much concentration of wealth in the hands of a few and not for the working people. But he also decries socialism.

I took a look at the -- I was -- I'm going to sound like a little bit of a nerd right now, but I looked at an encyclical that was from Pope Leo XIII on the way over here today. And he decried socialism that tried to prey upon the envy of the poor for the rich and the importance of personal property.

But at the same time, the need for us to share the wealth with the people who go to work every day. And that's, you know, that's a basic message we -- everybody in America should believe, whether you're a left-wing progressive or a right-wing conservative, in return for working hard, you make enough money so you can buy a house, educate your children, pay for health insurance and retire one day without being scared.

We have to get back to that in America. And this message from this type of pope, from this pope, could help us to accomplish that. So that hard work should be rewarded. Everybody should be able to have a decent life.

COOPER: Congressman Suozzi, I appreciate your time. Thank you.

SUOZZI: Yes, thank you.

COOPER: Good to have you here.

Coming up, Pope Leo's connection to Villanova University. We'll take a look -- we have a picture of a 1977 yearbook photo. What students and staff there are saying about his historic election and his faith and the order that he comes from, the Augustinians.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[20:54:46]

COOPER: The students and staff at Villanova University just outside Philadelphia are celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV. Take a look at this Villanova yearbook photo from 1977. He earned an undergraduate degree in math.

Danny Freeman joins us now from the campus tonight. What's the reaction there been?

[20:55:03]

DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, the reaction has been pride, a tremendous amount of joy and just a feeling of celebration out here at Villanova University. And remember, before Pope Leo XIV became pope, became a cardinal, became even a priest, he was here, as you noted, in 1977, studying for his Bachelor's Of Science in Mathematics. Also note, he's an honorary doctor here of Humanities, which he received in 2014.

Anderson, when I got here to campus, the bells of the church here, they were ringing for multiple hours in celebration. I spoke to a faculty member here who told me that while he never thought it would be really possible for an American pope, he was hoping. And when he found out it would be Pope Leo XIV, he said he cried with tears of joy. And then, Anderson, I spoke to students who came out here just to reflect on the moment, the surrealness that an alum is a member of this Villanova community. I want to take you -- I want you to take a listen to what one student was reflecting on today.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

LILY FLEMING, VILLANOVA FRESHMAN: It's hard to put into words. I think it's a testament to this school's strong Catholic faith. And I think it just shows that it's a huge community, and everyone's out here, you know, saying prayers in front of the church. It just shows that, like, we all feel such a strong bond of community here. And it's just like, I think I'm going to remember this day for the rest of my life.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

FREEMAN: And Anderson, that's something we heard over and over again, that people here are not going to forget this day. The last thing I'll note, Villanova is an Augustinian Catholic university. Its motto is veritas, unitas, caritas -- truth, unity, and love.

Inspired by the teachings of St. Augustine, well, who did Pope Leo cite today is part of his first initial remarks as the Pope, St. Augustine. There's truly a connection here that folks here on this campus draw to the new leader at the Vatican. Anderson?

COOPER: Yes. Danny Freeman, thanks very much.

Joining me now is Father Robert Hagan, who's also coming to us from Villanova. He's known Pope Leo for more than 25 years. Father Rob, it's great to have you. Obviously, I'm sure you were surprised to hear that this man you know so well became Pope. What do you feel like at this hour?

FATHER ROBERT HAGAN, O.S.A, FRIEND OF POPE LEO XIV: Anderson, we were flabbergasted. I mean, it was just watching like a member of your family emerge from that balcony. There were just so many emotions. I'm here in our St. Augustine friary in kind of the administrative offices of the province of St. Augustine, where we do a lot of work for the order.

And so the staff and some students and people were just crying and so excited to see someone that the man that we know, the humility, the intellect, the approachability, the warmth, the humor, the depth of faith and love of people, the love of the poor, to see that person now be the gift to the world, really, as this -- as the Holy Father is a shepherd of this flock.

COOPER: And I know you've always called him Bob in the past. Can you just talk about the Augustinian Order? Everybody knows Pope Francis was a Jesuit, a first Jesuit pope from the Order. Pope Leo is the first Augustinian Pope. Talk about the Augustinians.

HAGAN: Thank you. You know, there are many different orders that support the church. As you mentioned, the Jesuits, Franciscans, Dominicans, we're Augustinians. We take a lot of our charism and inspiration from St. Augustine, who lived in the late 300s and early 400s.

It was incredible, prolific writer and preacher and rhetorician. He's known as the doctor of grace. A core value for Augustine was friendship. He believed that we encounter and discover the presence of God through friendship.

And so these values of friendship, veritas, unitas, caritas, they're not just something we read about. They're values that we commit ourselves to as a way of life. And so, Leo XIV was forged, his vocation was forged on that foundation. He's very much influenced and will lead and guide in that way.

COOPER: And the -- in terms of the order, Augustinians, I mean, they consider each other brothers, correct?

HAGAN: Yes, literally. So not everyone that joins us is ordained to the priesthood, but you are a brother. And you take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. A kind of a commitment to a simplicity of life.

We all know the noise that's out there. We all know the temptation and the things the world can get all of us. But to try to block out some of that noise and stay focused on what for Augustine was a core principle. Love God and love your neighbor.

And I think, you know, for Leo, I don't think people aspire to be Pope. I think he loved God and he loved his neighbor. And it took him to places like the poorest of the poor in Peru and to places around the world --

COOPER: Yes.

HAGAN: -- where people just discovered this authenticity and this genuine love for people.

COOPER: Yes. Father Hagan, it's really a pleasure to talk to you. Thank you so much.

I wish you the best.

Coming up, Kaitlan Collins starts now with The Source. Thanks for watching. I'll see you tomorrow.