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CNN's The Arena with Kasie Hunt

Leo XIV Elected First American Pope. Aired 4-5p ET

Aired May 08, 2025 - 16:00   ET

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

[16:00:05]

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Really a historic moment that we've been tracking today, the election of a new pope, the first American ever, Pope Leo XIV from Chicago.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: That's right. Known as Bob previously by some of his friends, something you cannot say about any pope in history. A big day, as we have been watching this news out of Rome.

And THE ARENA WITH KASIE HUNT starts right now.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

KASIE HUNT, CNN HOST: Hi, everyone. I'm Kasie Hunt in Washington. Welcome to THE ARENA.

As we come on the air, we are following history unfolding before our eyes. The stunning election today of the man now known as Pope Leo XIV, a 69-year-old from Chicago becoming the first American to lead the world more than 1 billion Catholics.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPE LEO XIV, CATHOLIC CHURCH: Let us keep in our ears the weak voice of Pope Francis that blesses Rome. The pope who blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the entire world that morning of Easter. Allow me to follow up on that blessing: God loves us. God loves everyone. Evil will not prevail.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNT: And CNN is covering this across the country and around the world. Our team standing by in Rome as well here in America, as Americans react to the election of the first American pope.

Let's go first to CNN anchor Erin Burnett and our Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb. They're, of course, both in Rome. And they were there, as we all saw that white smoke come out of the Sistine Chapel.

Erin, you've been anchoring our coverage all day long, as we watched this smoke come out. So let me start with you. I mean, this is something that certainly was talked about, but somehow it didn't seem like an actually realistic possibility. How did it feel in the moment? ERIN BURNETT, CNN HOST, "ERIN BURNETT OUTFRONT": I mean, it was -- it

was an incredible moment. And I have to say, Kasie, something I've never experienced before, you know, and Christopher and I were here together, but it was palpable. There was just this anticipation. And then when we heard there was a pope, I mean, people were flooding into the square, tens and tens of thousands. I don't know if we have a formal number yet, but we had said it was well north of 50,000, whatever the capacity that they would allow in the square. That's what was here.

And then when they heard there was a pope, it was, we are so happy. We are so happy, such simple words. And that was the feeling, jubilation. No matter who it was.

Then an American pope for many here, maybe they had mixed feelings if they were Italian or -- but I think I can say everybody was stunned. Everybody was stunned. And I will admit, as an American, Kasie, you know, I felt I felt choked up a bit and some tears. It's an incredible moment for America to be to be honored in such a way by an institution as important to the world as the Catholic Church is, whatever your faith may be.

And that was a moment that was palpable and profound here in the square, having so many people together, celebrating something joyful, not anxious, not fraught, not angry. That is something that uplifts you in a very spiritual way.

HUNT: Yeah, a really just unusual and touching moment. Christopher, I'm happy to have you weigh in on that. I'm also interested to learn from you about what Leo's first full day is going to look like as pope.

We've spent a lot of time talking about, you know, the sort of details of the conclave. Where does he go now? Where does he sleep? Is he going to move in someplace? But do start with your reflections on this.

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. Well, a stunning moment, today to hear the election of Cardinal Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. I mean, I knew he was someone who was being looked at. You know, cardinal had spoken to me to say an American pope was a possibility previously thought impossible. But this time a possibility and an amazing moment to see him on the balcony of St. Peter's in the Vatican.

There's a lot of excitement. I can just show you the official Vatican newspaper, "L'Osservatore Romano", has a big picture of Pope Leo XIV on their front page. They've rushed that edition off.

And tomorrow, Pope Leo XIV is going to be saying mass in the Vatican with his fellow cardinals. Tonight, there's going to be a celebratory meal in the Casa Santa Marta, as per tradition. And then we will wait to see where he decides to live. That's a big decision he's got to make, because, of course, Pope Francis did not live in the apostolic palace in the Vatican, but in the Casa Santa Marta, the guesthouse where all the cardinals have been staying. [16:05:14]

Will Pope Leo follow in that tradition, or will he do something else? I think he'll take his time. He's a very thoughtful man. I've met him on one occasion. I was struck by how good a listener he is, how gracious a person he is to. And I thought that came across in his first appearance and address this evening.

HUNT: Remarkable. Stand by for me, both of you, please.

We're joined now by CNN chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour.

Christiane, very grateful to have your perspective here. Of course, the Catholic Church, 1 billion people scattered across the globe. At what -- what do you think is going to be the worldwide reaction to the first pope coming from America?

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Interesting, given what America stands for right now. But I think that it's really an amazing moment. I mean, as soon as he was named, I was speaking to an expert on my program and he literally asked me, are you sure? Have you confirmed it? I said, well, yeah, I mean, he's taken an official name, Leo XIV.

And they couldn't believe it. This is an American theologian who I was speaking to, an expert on the papacy and the conclave. So, it's extraordinarily different, clearly, is the first ever. But interestingly, he said to me, and if you look at the biographies and the profiles that have just sprung up, he said to me that Pope Leo XIV is American, but also not American. He has spent so much of his life and so much of his ministry as a priest and as a bishop and as a cardinal outside the United States, he spent at least two decades in Peru. Apparently, he became naturalized, and that was something that he's really, you know, sort of informs his worldview.

And I thought one of the most interesting things during his speech, when he came out onto the balcony was that he very, very quickly evoked the memory and the legacy of Pope Francis. And he said even on his last, Pope Francis was practically seeing and preaching for peace around the world. And he kept saying that the ministry has to be about people, those who suffer the most has to be about peace, has to be about unity in this highly divisive world.

So clearly, in that regard, he appears to be following, you know, at least the Franciscan model. And then we'll see what else comes next. But he's had a huge amount of experience outside America, and I think it's an amazing bridge right now for America to the world and vice versa.

HUNT: And on that point, Erin Burnett, I mean, you mentioned, of course, the unity that you felt there. Obviously, you know, you and I have spent time together covering political events here in America. It is not really a time of unity here in the United States of America. And of course, Pope Francis at times clashed not just with the current president of the United States but, you know, he often, you know, he certainly had things to say about wars across the world.

What do we expect? What do you expect from this new pope? As, of course, we continue to be in a very challenging era and an era in which the nature of American leadership in the world, on nonreligious stages, has really been changing.

BURNETT: It has. And you have to think that whatever the reasons are that these cardinals chose Robert Prevost now, Leo XIV, they were fully aware of the context of the fact that as the most diverse group of cardinals from more countries than have ever been involved in a conclave at this moment in history, with America pulling, doing an America first and backing away from the world that they chose to embrace America and to choose a pope who is both American and also a dual Peruvian citizen, which he adopted in 2015 after spending so much time there.

There's no question, right, that they would have been aware of that and that they know what that gesture was. And maybe that's what makes the gesture so emotional to so many who are seeing that.

But of course, looking through what this pope has said and something I know, Christopher knows in and out, but, you know, it appears to be socially conservative on issues of LGBTQ and the family, perhaps much more so than even Pope Francis. Clearly on that. It seems that may be the case, but he has spoken out directly, even on social media, criticizing J.D. Vance on issues of migration, even as recently as February. And he has done so multiple times.

So, it is -- it is clear he is unafraid to speak out. And in this environment we're in, to think about as a cardinal, to be speaking out in that moment in February when Pope Francis himself was so sick and was in the hospital that it was Cardinal Prevost who spoke out and spoke out against what was coming out of the U.S. administration is not insignificant and would have been known by everyone in that Sistine Chapel today.

[16:10:14]

HUNT: Speaking of that Sistine Chapel, we've got some new video just in here at CNN. Let's take a look. It's of the new pope, Leo XIV. He's going to give me -- it's going to take me a second. I was reflexively wanting to say Pope Francis, but of course, here is the new pope. He is leaving the Sistine Chapel in this video. This, of course, unfolding just moments ago.

Christopher Lamb, can I -- can I turn to you to sort of just talk us through a little bit of -- of what we were seeing right there, what we're seeing right now, this video of him apparently praying, as well as interacting with other members of the church?

LAMB: Yes. So, you know, after a new pope is elected, the cardinals each come up and swear an oath of allegiance or fealty to him. And the images that we saw were just seeing him there in Santa Marta. This image here, he's just coming out of the Sistine Chapel after the election. And obviously, this is the, you know, the first his first moments as pope, and he's coming into the Pauline Chapel in the apostolic palace of the Vatican to pray. Thats what Pope Francis did.

You can see he's wearing the red mozzetta, which is something that Pope Francis decided not to wear when he was elected, perhaps a nod to a more traditional approach when it comes to, you know, some of the some of the traditions of the papacy that Francis was not so keen on.

But I think, more importantly, what Pope Leo XIV is saying is that he's his own man. He is very much in line with Francis and his reforms, but he is not a carbon copy of Francis. I noticed how Pope Leo XIV had a speech that he'd clearly written out. He had prepared. That's why it took an hour from white smoke to the appearance of him on the balcony.

Pope Francis used to speak off the cuff. He used to be much more kind of, spontaneous. But Pope Leo XIV is a thoughtful man. He's a considered and measured person, and that's his style. And I think that's what we're going to see him do as pope. That's what I think we can expect.

HUNT: Really interesting.

Christiane, you are still with us here. And, of course, we were touching on earlier the fact that he did spend two decades of his life living in Peru, while, of course, the fact that he's the first American pope has grabbed all the headlines here, in some ways, this really represents the way both Pope Francis changed the College of Cardinals, bringing a more diverse group in, but also how the nature of religion, the nature of the Catholic Church has changed and evolved, and of course, the Global South being a key part and a place where, quite frankly, religion is gaining steam. While, in many developed Western countries, the opposite phenomenon is unfolding.

How do you think that's going to play out in the context of Leo's papacy?

AMANPOUR: Well, look, I think, you know, we don't know. But apparently his -- his positions that he's held, I mean, his last was appointed by Pope Francis, obviously, and he was head of the Vatican office that essentially dealt with bishops all over the world. So, he's very familiar to them as they are to him. And he will know very well, presumably, where the church's strengths and weaknesses are.

He comes essentially from Latin America, which is where Pope Francis came from. And he, again, as I said, speaks in the language of Pope Francis when it comes to the ordinary people.

I just want to quote what has been written about what he said. The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom, but rather called authentically to be humble, to be close to the people he serves, to walk with them, to suffer with them, and to look for ways that he can better live the gospel message in the midst of his people.

I mean, that is pure Jesus Christ. I mean, that was in the midst of the people. He sought out the most downtrodden always. And I think, you know, these last certainly this one, and Pope Francis have spent almost all their ministry shying away from the trappings and the allure of power and grandeur and really speaking about those who are in most desperate need.

And that is the only way that sometimes a church or an authority that becomes distant from its people is, you know, dropping off in various parts of the world. You go to mass, you know, in the Western hemisphere, the northern hemisphere, and often the churches are not full. They know that they have to appeal to the people, and they know what people are feeling all over the world right now in huge and ever huger numbers, dispossession, whether they're migrants, whether -- whoever they may be.

[16:15:03]

And so, I think this is an interesting continuation of that part of Pope Francis's legacy. And I also think its going to be interesting because, let's face it, half the world are women. And Pope Francis, while he didn't move on the issue of women deacons, he left a pretty much a deathbed request or order or suggestion that the next pope immediately take up the issue of women deacons. And I think that's going to be big. And we'll see how it -- how it plays out in what is still a pretty political church.

HUNT: Indeed. All right. Fascinating points, all.

Let's bring in Elizabeth Diaz. She is the religion -- Dias -- the religion and politics reporter for "The New York Times", as well as CNN Vatican analyst Katie Prejean. McGrady. She is the host of "The Katie McGrady Show" on Sirius XM -- XM's the Catholic Channel that's operated by the archdiocese of New York.

Thank you both very much for being here.

Elizabeth, let me start with you, just to kind of pick up on the conversation that we were just having with Christiane in terms of how the church may adjust itself in these ways, what Francis wanted, what we know about the new Pope Leo, and what he may bring to that.

ELIZABETH DIAS, NEW YORK TIMES RELIGION & POLITICS REPORTER: Sure. Well, it's so interesting, Kasie. I've been hearing opposite reactions of Americans on different side of the political spectrum, trying to sort out what they make of who he might be. And both camps, conservative and liberal hoping that the signal of the name that he chose, Pope Leo XIV, might indicate that he will be a champion of their priorities.

I've heard both -- both people from each side saying, well, maybe the name on the conservative side means that he's going to emphasize moral clarity. And then on the liberal side, they're thinking -- well, maybe he would represent the social justice aspect of the church.

So it's quite interesting to see. And we've been hearing from folks in Chicago on the ground. My colleagues have been talking with people who are just absolutely stunned that, you know, someone said Father Bob from Chicago, you know, it's just a remarkable shift and to see, you know, what his relationship to American Catholics will be especially at a moment that's been so divided for the American Church.

So I think we're going to learn a lot more in the coming days when we first hear him speak. And as people start to understand who he really is and what all of his missionary work in Peru has meant, not just for the U.S. church but for the world.

HUNT: Katie McGrady, from your position inside the church, how do you view everything that Elizabeth just laid out there?

KATIE PREJEAN MCGRADY, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: I was shocked. Just like she was. I don't think many of us had him on our bingo card, but I'm encouraged by his name, certainly is a huge signal. Leo XIII is actually my favorite pope. So, when we get now Leo XIV, well, I've got lots to say about the XIII, so I'm anxious to see what the XIV will do.

But I'm also encouraged, and I think that this is something that we need to note. His training is as a canonist. He's a canon lawyer. He knows the teachings of the church and the laws of the church very intimately. He has his doctorate. He was on mission to Peru while he was writing his doctoral dissertation. So he's a man who can clearly multitask.

But I think some of these more particular doctrinal conversations and questions, which a very divided American church are going to have lots to say about, is he our guy? Is he their guy? And quickly will tweet their opinions and either try to cut him down or build him up.

If anybody is going to be able to speak with clarity, it's a canonist missionary who has his bachelors of science degree. So I'm actually quite encouraged that this guy has the training to put all of the loud American Catholics in their place.

HUNT: A remarkable way to think about it, and a great note to end on.

Katie McGrady, Elizabeth Dias, thank you both very much.

Erin Burnett, Christopher Lamb, Christiane Amanpour, thanks to all of them as well.

All right. Coming up next here, we're going to talk live with a close friend of the brand new American pope. Our coverage continues next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:23:43]

HUNT: All right, we are back now with our coverage of the election of Pope Leo XIV. CNN's Whitney Wild joins us live now from Chicago.

Whitney, the pope was, of course, born there. And he studied at the Catholic Theological Union. Really again, I think I certainly am still taking in this sort of stunning news that there's going to be a pope that comes from America. What are you learning from people in his hometown? WHITNEY WILD, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRESPONDENT: Well, they are as

shocked as they are delighted, Kasie. And we had a really special moment just minutes ago, we were inside the building where he when he returned to the Chicago Theological Union and taught the Augustinian students here. We did a tour of the building he lived in, where he ate with those students, where he cooked, where he gave mass. It was a really special moment.

And what was so clear in speaking with a man who knew him for ten years in Peru, Father Don Linden, who is now here teaching the Augustinian students here, is that Pope Francis -- excuse me, Pope Leo, I cannot believe I just said that -- Pope Leo is very much an American pope, but he is the most international American pope you could imagine. He's, of course, he was born here.

[16:25:00]

Born in Chicago in 1955. He spent many years in Peru. He came back to Chicago.

And Father John Linden (ph) shared a few anecdotes with us. I mean, of course, if you're from Chicago, the question is, is he a White Sox fan? Is he a Cubs fan?

And Father John admits he does not know a ton about Chicago sports. But he says that Pope Leo is a Cubs fan. A lot of surprise there.

The other anecdote he shared with us, Kasie, is that he loves to cook. When they were living in Peru, he would make pizzas for everyone, and that was one of the -- one of the defining characteristics that Father John Linden remembers most, Kasie.

HUNT: You know what, Whitney? You heard it here first. This is actually a big question I have been wondering all day, like, okay, he's from Chicago, but Cubs or Sox? Come on. Like, let us know.

So, we'll write a banner. Pope Leo is a Cubs fan here at the end. Thank you very much for that reporting.

So, while Pope Leo is, of course, an American, as we've been discussing, he did spend decades in Peru, and he eventually earned dual citizenship. Last year, he described how that time influenced his leadership.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPE LEO XIV: I think the part of ministry that most shaped my life is Peru. I was there for over 20 years total, about 12 years as an Augustinian doing parish work, pastor, professor in the seminary, director of formation, and lots of other things that when you're missionary, you just learn how to do everything from electronics to auto mechanics and things like that. Just can only say how gifted I feel because of what I gained from my years working in Peru.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNT: Fascinating.

All right. Joining us now by phone, a close friend of Pope Leo from their time together in Peru, Father Art Purcaro. He was with him just last week.

Father Purcaro, I'm so grateful to have you on the phone. Tell us a little bit about what this last meeting was like that you had with the now pope, and can you give us any insight about whether he thought that this was a realistic possibility for the result of this conclave?

FR. ART PURCARO, CLOSE FRIEND OF POPE LEO XIV (via telephone): Only God knows, but certainly Bob is a very -- now Leo XIV is a very down to earth human being and very good human being. He's deeply spiritual person, and. Some people would call him reserved. I see him as -- as well-centered, as somebody who cares really very, very much about people.

And the example that I could offer. I've known Bob. We were together in Peru and in Rome. He was a prior general. I worked with him and helped a little bit in his diocese in Chicago.

He loves Peru. He became a Peruvian citizen so he could be able to identify at least nationality with the people there. Bob is a truly international person and, as I say, cares so much about people.

So, this past week, April 26th, was my 50th anniversary of ordination. I had asked to have mass with then Cardinal Prevost, and if possible, he might arrange to meet with Pope Francis. Well, the God had a different plan and called Pope Francis to himself, to Cardinal Prevost said. But come anyway. You can come celebrate the mass. So I can celebrate it as a priest, the mass that Cardinal Prevost was present at for the funeral.

And my family, my brother was arriving with his family at the airport, picked him up after the mass, and I mentioned to Cardinal Prevost would be lovely if he'd be able to come have dinner with us, said, gee, I have the mass of the of the nine days with -- for Pope Francis, but maybe I'll be there for dessert.

And sure enough, in the rain. Rain. With an umbrella over his head, he came down to the restaurant walking, and we sat together with the family and enjoyed gelato in Rome.

This is the human person, Bob. He cares about people.

HUNT: I have to say, the fact that you can so easily and I can hear you struggling a little bit. You keep referring to him as Bob. It's so deeply humanizing and really, actually, I know it's a small thing, but it says a lot about who this new pope is.

Can you tell us a little bit more about your time in Peru? And, I mean, I think everyone is trying to understand. I mean, we of course, have been focused on oh my gosh, we're stunned. Theres an American who's a pope. I certainly, obviously, have lived here all my life and understand what that might mean. What do you think that he took away from the time that he spent in

Peru that is going to influence how he governs the Roman Catholic Church?

PURCARO: Well, that's a great question and a great opportunity to share. I think this is a true understanding of who Leo XIV is, is understand somebody willing to leave his family, to leave opportunities to go work among other people who had great need for a minister. So when -- when father then Prevost came to Peru, young priest he came to not to replace people there, but to help build up the Peruvian church and identify with the people as Christ identified with those who are most left out.

So, so, Father Prevost, at that point in time, I'm very aware now that he used the word Bob, try to be conscious of the fact that --

HUNT: No, I love it so much.

PURCARO: And then -- and then here's somebody who, because he felt called and it was a service and great service to the people, became prior general of the entire order of St. Augustine worldwide and reelected in that post. People saw in him, ability to govern, to lead, to manage. But a caring person and he was able. He knows Italian, as we all heard from the -- from the loggia. He knows Spanish as we heard also from there.

How brilliant he is speaking directly to people. The people of the city of Rome in Italian. This is a person of the style of Pope Francis. And as somebody who wants, who knows that we are called to be close to others, and particularly to those who have been left out.

I think Father Prevost and Cardinal Prevost brought to and brings to the church the call to be close to those, to God's love for everybody, but to be close to those who don't know that they are loved or truly feel they are not those who have been left out. He talked about pontifex, bridge builder, the importance of doing that.

So, I think that really expresses who Leo XIV is. And I love the name. Leo after Leo that who started Catholic social thought, who through whom that became a significant contribution to the church here. Cardinal Prevost now becoming Pope Leo, speaking to us about the importance of Catholic social thought in our world today, to build a better world, a better world, not for some, a better world for everybody.

HUNT: All right. I unfortunately have to let you go, but very briefly, can you confirm, Bob, Cardinal Prevost now, Pope Leo, Cubs fan?

PURCARO: That I cannot --

HUNT: We'll ask for a second source down the line.

PURCARO: I am not a sports --

HUNT: Father Purcaro, thank you so much for your time. We really appreciate it. I'm sure that we'll be hearing from you again in the coming days.

All right. We're going to have much more of our special coverage right here in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:36:59]

HUNT: All right. Let's turn back now to the big news of the day. The world's first American pope, elected on the second day of conclave, hailing from Chicago, Pope Leo will bring a unique knowledge of this country and of American politics to the papacy, following in the steps of Pope Francis, who at times, of course, tangled with American leaders over some very hot button issues.

President Trump today, for his part, keeping a big picture congratulating the new pope this afternoon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To have the pope from the United States of America, that's a great honor. That's a great honor.

Watching and they said he's from America, I said, that's great.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNT: He's from America. That's great.

Our panel joins us now.

CNN contributor, "New York Times" journalist, podcast host, Lulu Garcia-Navarro, senior political correspondent for "The Wall Street Journal", Molly Ball, CNN political commentator, former Biden communications director, Kate Bedingfield, and CNN senior political commentator, Scott Jennings.

Welcome to all of you. Thank you so much for being here today.

I think we're actually representative of the -- of the population of American Catholics on our little panel here.

Lulu Garcia-Navarro, you are, of course, a member of the faithful. Can you just talk a little bit about your own personal reaction to learning that the pope was going to be American and what you think its going to mean to Americans across the country?

LULU GARCIA-NAVARRO, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Yeah. I -- I find it very moving. I am Catholic. I went to Catholic school most of my life, went to Georgetown University, also another Catholic university, very Catholic family.

And to see an American pope was not something I think anyone expected. And from Chicago, the memes have been off the charts. So there's that.

HUNT: I really want to know if he's a Cubs fan.

GARCIA-NAVARRO: Yeah, that's what everyone wants to know.

HUNT: Scott Jennings is upset about this.

SCOTT JENNINGS, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Cardinals should not be choosing Cubs fans as popes. I'm just going to throw it out there.

GARCIA-NAVARRO: But I mean --- what I -- what I really -- what I really -- what I really liked was when he came to speak, he spoke in Spanish. He spoke in Italian. He really kind of expressed his roots of being part of the global church.

And so, listen, popes are men. The environment within which they grew up. You saw that with Pope Francis informs their beliefs and who they are. They are also God's representative on Earth, Catholics believe.

So, it is important that he's American. But, of course, he transcends that. But he is going to be part of a very problematic and conflicted church in the United States, where there's a lot of conflict between more liberal and progressive groups to which he belongs, and conservatives. And so that is going to play out.

HUNT: Yeah. I mean, I'm an Anglican Episcopalian myself. Theres a similar thing going on in the Episcopalian Church. It has been for many, many years.

Molly Ball, the Catholic Church also has played a prominent role over the decades in American politics, generally speaking, right? And we've seen, for example, it took quite a while for Americans to elect a pope or a pope, elect a pope, elect a president who was Catholic, which, of course you know, came in the form of John F. Kennedy Jr., who, a Democrat, held up as an example for so many years.

But the church itself and while there, I think, I believe there are still more Catholic Democratic lawmakers here in Washington than Republicans. It's people who vote -- who are Catholic in this country have gotten a lot more conservative in recent decades.

Can you talk a little bit about how that is potentially going to play out here, considering that now there is a pope who, you know, gets America?

MOLLY BALL, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Yeah. It's really interesting to think about and, you know, to Lulu's point, the politics of the church do and don't map on to American politics, but this is a pope who, you know, on his Twitter account has expressed political -- in his previous incarnation as a cardinal expressed various political sentiments, you know, and popes have, you know, Francis was well known for his seemingly liberal political stances on everything from climate to poverty. And this is a pope that were being told is very much in that Francis tradition emphasizing social justice, emphasizing, you know, the plight of the poor, emphasizing, you know, the Earth and so forth. So, I think it's going to be very interesting to see whether Trump's

initial reaction curdles a little bit as he learns more about this pope and potentially comes in for some criticism, depending on how outspoken the pope wants to be.

HUNT: Yeah, of course, maybe, maybe New Testament pope as opposed to an Old Testament pope. I don't know.

Kate Bedingfield, you worked for Joe Biden for so many years. He, of course, also a Catholic president. Again, very few American Catholic presidents over time, his faith clearly meant a lot to him.

And it is true, as Molly says, that Pope Francis tangled with, Donald Trump, with President Trump. And it does seem like were still trying to verify some of what's out there that people have been saying is him criticizing the new pope, criticizing J.D. Vance and others on this. It does seem like we are headed for this to continue.

What do you think that means?

KATE BEDINGFIELD, FORMER BIDEN WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Well, it was always really interesting to me, fascinating to watch President Biden, obviously, the -- in some cases, collision of religion and politics can be very intense. And there are oftentimes where Biden, for example, was, from a policy perspective, at odds with the church. And that would -- you know, that would come up, that would be a source of conflict for him.

HUNT: Like Democratic leaders were sometimes denied communion because they supported abortion.

GARCIA-NAVARRO: Nancy Pelosi.

BEDINGFIELD: Absolutely.

HUNT: You know, by John Kerry, you remember?

BEDINGFIELD: Yeah, absolutely. And so, but the thing that was always interesting to me in watching Biden was, you know, for him as a devout Catholic, somebody who went to mass every week, somebody who, you know, when we were traveling internationally, if it was a holy day of observation, he would he would find a place to go to mass. It was very important to him.

And for him, his -- his personal faith really did always transcend the politics. And there just aren't that many spaces in our hyper polarized, hyper conflicted world where -- where something transcends politics in that way. So, it was always interesting to me to watch Biden do that. And I think it will be fascinating to see how particularly Catholic leaders, but really how all elected leaders in the United States interact with this new pope and how he chooses to view his interaction with political leaders.

JENNINGS: Trump did quite well with Catholics in the '24 election. I think he lost them to Biden in '20, but he did quite well with him in '24. And, you know, look, my suspicion is on some of these issues like

climate, and open borders and, you know, those kinds -- he's going to be where Pope Francis was. But still, you didn't bring him up. But Pope Francis was still pro-life and had some more conservative views, say on the transgender, gender confusion issues that are being debated among a lot of people in the United States right now. It feels like that's -- he's headed down the same path --

HUNT: Well, this is part of why, what -- why, you know, where Catholics are has been an evolution here in our politics.

JENNINGS: Yeah. And so, you know, if you're a conservative, you're probably not going to like some of the things he has to say about immigration and climate change and so on and so forth. But you may wind up you know, feeling more kindly towards him if he stays the course on life and on, you know, some of these other cultural issues that we've been debating as a country.

So, I'm happy that we have an American pope. It's good. I hope he comes here, by the way, and has a massive catholic rally. It would be good for the United States and good for the church and good for the Christian faith if the new pope comes back to his hometown.

GARCIA-NAVARRO: And the Catholic Church has been growing in America, unlike in other developed nations, you know, where its been declining and most of the growth has been in Asia or Africa. Actually, it's been growing here in the United States.

HUNT: Well, perhaps if we can agree on him being a Cubs fan, if he is a baseball fan, that's like that is good for the --

(CROSSTALK)

JENNINGS: I would expect White Sox. The pope's going to be a major --

HUNT: I will take a pope who is a baseball fan, you know, any day.

All right, guys, thank you so much for coming in today. I really appreciate it.

Coming up next here, new reaction pouring in from across America. We're live in one place that has a special connection to this new pope. His alma mater, Villanova University in Pennsylvania.

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[16:49:23]

HUNT: All right. We're back now with our coverage of the election of Pope Leo XIV. And coming in here, new images of his former family church. It's in the Riverdale community on the South Side of Chicago.

But let's go first to another place that was important in this new pope's life.

We find CNN's Danny Freeman live at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, actually, my sort of home, hometown area. And, of course, the new pope went to college at Villanova.

Danny, what's been the reaction from that community?

DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I got to tell you, Kasie, the reaction here has been one of tremendous jubilation all throughout the afternoon.

[16:50:03]

And listen, before Pope Leo XIV became pope, became a cardinal, became a priest even, he was here, just outside of Philadelphia, at Villanova University, getting a bachelor of science and mathematics degree in 1977.

And not only have we heard from students and faculty already who are just in awe, one faculty member told me that when he heard the news, he actually broke into tears. We also hearing from the president of the university, I just want to read a little bit from his statement, because it really goes to the moment right now.

The president of the university said: With today's election of his holiness Pope Leo the 14th, I cannot help but reflect on what his Augustinian papacy would mean to our university community and our world. Known for his humility, gentle spirit, prudence and warmth, Pope Leo XIV's leadership offers an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to our educational mission. Again, that's from Reverend Peter M. Donohue from the Villanova University, the president here.

I talked to students as well. They were students here, freshman, people who are 18, 19 years old who when they heard the news, they just came out here, they sat in front of the church behind me as the bells were ringing. These bells have been ringing all day, and they were just taking in the moment. They were in awe, not just because the pope now is an alumnus here, but also because they were thinking that they are getting the same education now, essentially, that all those years ago, the would-be pope got right here at Villanova -- Kasie.

HUNT: All right. Danny Freeman for us today -- Danny, thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

And joining us now to discuss, Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania. He's a practicing Catholic.

And he actually recently attended Pope Francis's funeral.

Congressman, I'm so grateful to have you on the show.

REP. BRENDAN BOYLE (D-PA): Yeah, great to be here on this historic day.

HUNT: Yeah. And, of course, you have ties from the same area where the pope went to college. Can you talk a little bit about your -- your own experiences since we learned that this pope was going to be American? And of course, if you want to reflect on attending the funeral, what that meant as well.

BOYLE: Well, first, I can't believe we have a pope who's a Villanova grad.

HUNT: I mean, it's crazy. It's mind-blowing.

BOYLE: It's really remarkable. So the Big Five has made it all the way to the Vatican. Although some of my Saint Joe's friends might not be as thrilled as the rest of us.

HUNT: I mean, I grew up down the street, which is why I'm having the same reaction that you are.

BOYLE: Yeah. No, I mean, the memes have actually been pretty funny as well. Like you, I have a lot of friends who went to Villanova, although I did not. A great university, small university.

HUNT: Yeah.

BOYLE: And the fact that now the pope is an American from Chicago who went to college in the Philadelphia area, a friend of mine who has roots in an archdiocese in the high school, Monsignor Bonner showed me that now the pope is in their 2004 yearbook because he celebrated mass there. So, it is -- it is absolutely surreal to have someone now pope who has all of these local connections.

HUNT: We've been talking a little bit about how, divided our politics have been, obviously. And, you know, Pope Francis occasionally would have something to say about our political leaders, what they were doing here. There's been a lot of conversation about how our new pope is likely to follow in the Francis mold.

But that said, I mean, do you think that there's something, some way to find just the fact that he shares and understands all the cultural traditions, what it means to be American? This is the first time in world history that there's ever been someone with that background in this job. Do you think that that -- what impact do you think that that could have in the best way --

BOYLE: Look, Catholic teaching does not exactly align with the American political spectrum. And so there'll be some things, the church -- church teaching that might line up more with the liberal side. There are some things that line up more with the conservative side. Even given that, however, I have to tell you, in the decade or so that I've been in Congress, by far the happiest day for most members of Congress who were there was 2015, when the pope, Pope Francis became the first pope to visit Congress and to speak to a joint session of Congress.

It was remarkable. There were very liberal Democrats and very conservative Republicans I know who are almost giddy.

HUNT: I mean, John Boehner was sobbing, not necessarily out of the realm of normal for him, but like, he was so moved.

BOYLE: It might not be the only time, but he was so moved, as was sitting right next to him, then Vice President Biden, as was former and future Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the time as well. So, there is something special about the pope, and I do believe that

this new pope, Pope Leo XIV, will very much represent in the United States for many Americans, even those who aren't Catholic, a really special place.

HUNT: All right, Congressman, very grateful to have you on the show today on a historic day. Thank you.

BOYLE: Thank you.

HUNT: All right. CNN's coverage of this historic day, an American elected to the papacy continues next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HUNT: All right. Welcome back, as we continue our coverage of the first American ever to become pope.

And Jake Tapper is standing by for THE LEAD.

And, Jake, earlier in our program, Whitney Wild reported that the new pope is actually a Cubs fan. He, of course, hails from Chicago. He went to school in Philadelphia, but apparently he's not a Phillies fan.

And here's this tweet from the Chicago Cubs. I got to say, I -- I just think it's amazing that there's a pope who, you know, knows the rules of baseball.