Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Pope Leo XIV Becomes First American to Lead Catholic Church; India and Pakistan Trade Blame as Conflict Spirals; Ukrainian Drones Track Russian Violations of Putin's Ceasefire. Aired 12-1a ET

Aired May 09, 2025 - 00:00   ET

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

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN ANCHOR/CORRESPONDENT: Hello and welcome to our viewers watching around the world and here in the U.S. I'm Polo Sandoval in New York City.

[00:00:18]

And ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM, the first American pope. The faithful from Vatican City to Chicago cheering the election of Pope Leo XIV as he becomes the first person from the United States to lead the Catholic Church.

Plus, as neighboring countries remain on the brink of war, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance claiming the conflict is none of America's business. That's also ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EDITOR: This is you watching them, watching you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: And we take you back to the front lines of Ukraine, where a drone unit tracks their Russian enemy while trying to stay out of sight.

The world is welcoming a new pope whose name is now being celebrated in masses and prayers across the planet.

Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost is now Pope Leo XIV. The announcement, nothing short of a shock. Never before has an American been selected to lead the Catholic Church -- the Catholic Church, along with its 1.4 billion members.

And now all eyes were on the Sistine Chapel on Thursday. They were awaiting that unmistakable puff of white smoke. The signal that the 133 cardinals inside, who had been in conclave for about two days, that they had made their decision finally.

Many thousands of faithful cheering in Vatican City, even before anybody knew who was picked. Pope Leo, who's 69 years old, is also a U.S. citizen, as well as a

citizen of Peru, having spent around two decades there as a missionary and a bishop. During his first address on that famous balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square, the new pope brought a message of peace to the faithful and also to the world.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPE LEO XIV, LEADER OF CATHOLIC CHURCH (through translator): 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)

SANDOVAL: And in only a few hours, Pope Leo will return to the Sistine Chapel to celebrate mass there, along with the cardinals who elected him. He's expected to build on the reforms of his predecessor, Pope Francis.

And, you know, even before he became Pope Leo or cardinal, he was Bob. To some, Father Bob from Chicago.

CNN's Whitney Wild has a look at the background of Pope Leo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WHITNEY WILD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history, presenting himself to the world.

POPE LEO XIV (through translator): Peace be with you.

WILD (voice-over): The 69-year-old Robert Prevost was born in Chicago, his father, Louis, an educator; his mother, Mildred, a librarian, according to "The Chicago Sun-Times."

He spoke about his early years in this interview with the Midwest Augustinians ten years ago.

POPE LEO XIV: From a young age, I had sort of a sense that I would like to do some kind of service in the church. Priesthood was a part of that. Both of my older brothers studied at an Augustinian high school, Mendel High School, here in Chicago.

WILD (voice-over): He attended Villanova University in Pennsylvania, earning a bachelor's in mathematics before going on to receive his master of divinity from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.

SR. BARBARA REID, O.P., PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL UNION: I have absolutely no doubt that our new pope, Leo XIV, will just be an extraordinary leader. We didn't think it was possible for an American to -- to be the person that the cardinals would choose. But he's a person that really has the heart of the whole church.

WILD (voice-over): We got a tour of where the pope lived during some of his time at the Catholic theological union. FATHER JOHN LYDON, ORDER OF SAINT AUGUSTINE: Pope Leo actually worked

here. After he was our prior general, and he finished his term, he came and lived in this house and had the job that I presently have, the director of formation.

WILD (voice-over): Pope Leo XIV has spent much of his life and career as a missionary in South America. He spent a decade in Trujillo, Peru, and served as a bishop in Chiclayo, another Peruvian city, from 2014 to 2023.

[00:05:07]

Pope Leo XIV is a dual U.S. and Peruvian national. According to Peru's national migration registry, he became a Peruvian citizen in August of 2015. He outlined his vision for the church, echoing his path to becoming the 267th leader of the Catholic Church.

POPE LEO XIV (through translator): We have to seek together to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges and dialog.

WILD (voice-over): Robert Prevost just last year spoke at a Chicago area Catholic Church about how the church picks the pope it needs.

POPE LEO XIV: I truly believe that Pope Francis was elected by the College of Cardinals in 2013, because the church at this time needs Francis. At a different time, we needed Pope Benedict, and at a different time, we needed Saint John Paul II, et cetera, et cetera.

WILD: Father John Lydon told us that, yes, he is an American by birth, but he is not an American pope. He says he -- he has a global mindset, a universal mindset.

And in fact, it was last summer here in Illinois when now Pope Leo said that he's -- the time that was the most impactful for him was the time he spent in Peru. Those 20 years were the most important in shaping who he is as a leader. Now, as we know, the leader of all the Catholic Church.

Whitney Wild, CNN, Chicago.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: Let's get more now from Father John Lydon. He's a longtime friend of who was former Cardinal Prevost and now joining us live from Chicago.

Father John, thank you so much for making time for us.

LYDON: Oh, it's a pleasure to be with you on this great day.

SANDOVAL: Of course. You know, Father, in listening to news reports out of Peru and -- and hearing the way people describe, the new Holy Father here, really, you get a sense that they describe him almost as one of their own.

You know, South America, a place where he served as a missionary. And you know that well. How important do you think it will be for him to really project himself as a -- as a global pope and not just an American one?

LYDON: Yes, I think it's essential. You know, his formation in Peru is -- it was his pastoral formation. He spent, you know, probably 20 years there.

I lived with him for ten years, so I know him well. We worked together, and he's an excellent person. Just a very easy person to get along with. A bridge builder. Somebody that, very concerned with the poor.

Part of our parish in Trujillo, where we lived together, it has a very poor section. He was always conscious of making sure that the poor were included, treated with dignity, which is not always the case in Peru.

And so, he'll be a great model of a pastor, following much of what Pope Francis did with a different perspective. He's from a -- you know, he's from the United States. So, that forms part of his cultural background, as well.

SANDOVAL: Father John, no doubt your eyes were fixed on the TV on Thursday as you watched from Chicago, along with the rest of the world.

How surprised were you? Were you surprised when you saw him emerge from that balcony? And do you think he was surprised when he found out that he was the one that was elected?

LYDON: Yes. I was very surprised. Not -- because I knew his qualities, I thought, well, he would be a great pope. But I, as like most people, because it was an American, you thought, well, that's really a very long shot.

But I think because, you know, his perspective is more international, that idea of being an American, that the cardinals said that wasn't important.

And so, I was shocked. As soon as they pronounced the name Robert Francis, I didn't even have to wait till they got to his last name, because not many people would know that was his middle name. But I knew that was his middle name, and I knew nobody else would have those two names together.

So, I just shouted with great joy and just couldn't believe it.

I think it was a surprise to him. Actually, before he -- before the conclave began, we were in contact. And -- and he told me, well, the one good thing is that an American won't be pope. So, I don't have to worry about that.

So -- But the Holy Spirit, you know, has its surprises. It's happened before, surprises. And -- and now, once again.

So, it's a -- it's a blessing for the church. I think it's a blessing for the world, because he'll be a pope that, wants to build dialogue with the world, to be out with different opinions and different cultures. I think it will be something good for the world, not just for the Catholic Church.

SANDOVAL: Absolutely. No doubt it is a difficult time, not only within the church, but outside of it. And this certainly comes at a crucial time for -- for global communities.

[00:10:05]

I want to mention I was also listening a little while ago to the bishop of Chiclayo, which is the Peruvian city where he spent most of his time here. And of course, Pope Leo today even acknowledged it from the balcony.

The bishop there also highlighted Pope Leo XIII, who was -- essentially, created that doctrine of defending people's dignity, helping the poor.

Now we have Leo XIV. How do you think, based on how you know him and -- and from your perspective, how will he pick up that torch and carry on the legacy of -- of his -- of Leo XIII?

LYDON: Yes. I'm glad the bishop of Chiclayo picked that up. Not -- not many people would know that Leo XIII, as being the -- the father of the beginning of the Catholic social teaching of the church.

I know well the bishop of Chiclayo. He was my student, actually. And so, I think it's a great insight.

I suspect that's why he picked the name, to say that there's a continuation of the church speaking to the world, speaking to the political, economic, and peace crises in the world. That's what Catholic social teaching has done, and it was began by Leo XIII.

So, that's the only reason I could think why he would pick Leo XIV as the -- you know, tie himself to that previous Leo. Because it's not a common name anymore.

But I think it's a sign that, you know, Catholic social teaching is going to be extremely important to him. Which it is he has spoken about it before.

And I -- actually in Peru, I wrote a book on Catholic social teaching, and he wrote the preface to the book. He wasn't pope then, but -- but I think it showed, you know, his devotion to the Catholic -- Catholic thought.

SANDOVAL: Working alongside a man who would go on to become the pope. It is absolutely incredible.

And to your earlier point, I mean, just a few hours into his papacy, he's already talking about building bridges. Very familiar language from what we heard from Pope Francis.

Father John Lydon, we want to thank you so much for your time and your extremely unique perspective, as somebody who knew the man who would go on to become Pope Leo XIV. Thank you.

LYDON: Yes, thank you very much. It's a great blessing this day for -- for -- for me personally; for -- for the church, our religious order, for everybody, I think for the world, as well.

So, it's a pleasure to be with you and -- and God bless you and all your listeners, too.

SANDOVAL: Thank you. Father.

And Pope Leo, now a world leader technically. And that means that political leaders are reacting positively to news of the U.S.-born pope, including President Donald Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: What greater honor could there be? And we were a little bit surprised and very happy. It's just a great, absolutely great honor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: Vice President J.D. Vance, writing on X, "I'm sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him."

Meanwhile, CNN's Dana Bash caught up with former U.S. President Joe Biden while riding a train through the Northeast. And he said he also approves.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think it's great. I think he's good. He was a good friend of Francis and he -- you know, I think he's going to keep moving the church in a direction of being more ecumenical and reaching out. And I think that's all good.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: Of course, Joe Biden a Catholic himself. His predecessor, also, Barack Obama, sending congratulations to the fellow Chicagoan, writing, "We will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith."

And Pope Francis was also not afraid to get political and criticize the Trump administration in the past, and Pope Leo may be inclined to follow his lead.

You see, on X under the name Robert Prevost posted an article in February from the "National Catholic Reporter" that was critical of J.D. Vance's interpretation of Christian doctrine.

And it reads, quote, "J.D. Vance is wrong. Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others."

We should mention CNN has not been able to independently confirm that that X account is, in fact, connected to new Pope Leo.

Still ahead, exchanging fire and trading blame. The conflict between India and Pakistan is spiraling. We'll have the very latest from -- in a report live from the region.

[00:15:07]

And drone operators in Ukraine. They are watching the frontline closely. What they're telling CNN exclusively about Russia's three-day unilateral ceasefire.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:19:47]

SANDOVAL: We're getting reports of new cross-border fire between India and Pakistan. And that is raising fears that the two nuclear-armed rivals are on the brink of a wider conflict.

Authorities in India-administered Kashmir reporting that heavy shelling has happened near the Line of Control, which is essentially the de facto border in the disputed region.

Indian officials say that air defenses intercepted missiles and drones launched from Pakistan on Thursday. India says the attack targeted military sites in India and Indian-administered Kashmir.

Pakistan denying the attacks but earlier said that it killed 40 to 50 Indian soldiers along the Line of Control. It also said it downed more than two dozen Indian drones.

Pakistan's ambassador to the U.S. says his country has acted in self- defense. A Pakistani military official saying that Indian attacks killed at least 31 civilians there.

And meanwhile, India's defense ministry says cross-border shelling has killed at least -- at least 16 people in India.

In his first public comments on the crisis, India's prime minister called for continued alertness. The U.S. also weighing in, calling for talks and de-escalation amid these tensions.

And also, the vice president saying that there could be limits to U.S. involvement.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

J.D. VANCE, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: We want this thing to de-escalate as quickly as possible. We can't control these countries, though.

Fundamentally, India has its gripes with Pakistan. Pakistan has responded to India. What we can do is try to encourage these folks to de-escalate a little bit, but we're not going to get involved in the middle of a war that's fundamentally none of our business.

(END VIDEO CLIP) SANDOVAL: An attempt at de-escalation from the U.S. vice president.

Let's go ahead and bring in our journalist Vedika Sud, covering all of this from Delhi. Vedika, thank you so much for -- for taking some time here.

Tensions between the two rivals, as you know, they certainly have been ratcheting up. Curious: where do things stand right now?

VEDIKA VUD, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's been a very tense night for Northern India, parts of Northern India, especially in villages, towns, and cities near the Line of Control that you were talking about. Because the Indian government came out with a statement late night stating that there have been multiple attacks from Pakistani drones and munitions on military establishments in some areas of Northern India.

I'm going to read out from a statement on X by India's Ministry of Defense. They've said -- and I'm going to quote them here -- "Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani- origin drones and missiles along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir today. The threats were swiftly neutralized."

Also, the Indian government has alleged that there's been heavy cross- border shelling and firing by Pakistan over the last few days, and that continued last night local time, as well.

Now, Pakistan, like you said, has denied these accusations leveled by India. They've also gone ahead and said that this is complete disinformation that is being put out by the Indian media.

I now also want to show you some visuals from those heavily affected areas along the Line of Control on the Indian side. These are villages that have been damaged. A lot of the homes have been destroyed by that heavy shelling coming from Pakistan, as alleged by the Indian military and the Indian government.

You can see people assessing the damage.

The latest statement that we have from the defense ministry puts the casualties due to this heavy shelling on the Indian side at 13, with over 50 people injured. And the casualties include women and children, as well.

Like you said, there is a huge escalation that happened after the strikes by India on -- inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

But yesterday, local time, India, you had the foreign secretary addressing a press briefing where there were a lot of journalists present. And he said, it's not India that escalated it. The escalation, quote unquote, was the terror attack in Indian administered Kashmir on the 22nd of April. And what India did a couple of days back was a response to that, quote, unquote, "escalation."

Back to you. SANDOVAL: Yes, some extraordinary images you share there, including

some of that debris with -- riddled with shrapnel. Thank you so much for showing us those pictures. And both sides of the conflict zone.

Vedika Sud, thank you.

SUD: Thank you.

SANDOVAL: Well, the newly elected pope is focused on a mission to bring people together. Just ahead, what people that Pope Leo knew -- actually, more about what they're saying and remembering about the newest head of the Catholic Church on the other side of this break, as we leave you with a live picture of Vatican City as the sun rises, there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:29:00]

SANDOVAL: As the world celebrates the election of the first American pope, CNN's Anderson Cooper looks at how the historic announcement played out in Vatican City on Thursday.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR (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.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A nuncio 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.

[00:30:13]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Habemus papam.

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

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

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 St. 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.

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 (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: 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, our God.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: And Pope Leo XIV is set to celebrate his first mass in the Sistine Chapel in less than five hours. Live pictures there over Vatican City as the sun comes up.

It will be first -- the very first day for the pontiff. Live coverage on CNN at 5 a.m. Eastern, 10 a.m. in London, 5 p.m. For our viewers in Hong Kong.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced what he called a major trade deal with the U.K. on Thursday, and it could mean some possible relief is in sight from the presidents historically high tariffs.

He says what he described as a full and comprehensive agreement, which he says will be followed by many deals with other countries.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: The final details are being written up. In the coming weeks, we'll have it all very conclusive. But the actual deal is a very conclusive one. We think just about everything has been approved.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER (voice-over): British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says that the deal will remove tariffs on steel and aluminum. It will also cut tariffs on British cars to 10 percent for 100,000 vehicles a year. Mr. Starmer said that there are still some details that need to be, as

he put it, ironed out. But while speaking to reporters this week, he implied that an imperfect deal is better than no deal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Prime Minister, this is a freeing up of trade conditions with America, compared with where we were. But is it better than, say, six months ago, given, for instance, some tariffs are still there?

KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Well, Chris, the question you should be asking is, is it better than where we were yesterday?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER (voice-over): As for U.S. stocks, as you see here, they closed slightly higher on Thursday after Mr. Trump announced this deal with the U.K. and said that he expects what he described as a good weekend of trade talks with China this time.

[00:35:08]

And we are just a few hours away from the start of Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow. World leaders, including Chinese President Xi, are on hand for this military spectacle.

It's marking 80 years since the Allies' victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The presidents and prime ministers from Brazil, Egypt, Serbia and Slovakia are also attending.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese -- with his Chinese counterpart on Thursday, agreeing to deepen ties. Their alliance meant to show really to be a sign of solidarity in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's "America first" diplomacy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): Our common heroic past and combat brotherhood are a reliable foundation for the development and strengthening of Russian-Chinese relations, and these relations have reached the highest level in history.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: And meanwhile, President Trump appears to be taking a harder line on Russia as his efforts to end the fighting in Ukraine have yet to produce any results. Any peace, really.

He's now calling for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and for both Ukraine and Russia to be held accountable for respecting the sanctity of direct negotiations.

His social media posts coming after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kyiv has said that it will agree to the 30-day truce, but its waiting for Russia to support the proposal.

Russia has declared a three-day unilateral ceasefire to coincide with that Victory Day celebration that we just mentioned. But Ukrainians on the front line say that Moscow's forces, that they are repeatedly breaking their own truce.

CNN's Nick Paton Walsh with this exclusive report from the front lines.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALSH (voice-over): The clock strikes zero, and nothing new comes. The Kremlin promised 72 hours of their guns falling silent.

WALSH: They have to see if President Vladimir Putin is keeping his word at all.

WALSH (voice-over): They knew the answer, but the proof isn't far behind. This national guard unit can see most of the eastern and Southern front line from one room.

WALSH: So, it's just saying three minutes ago, and they'll be about just three minutes into the ceasefire. So, artillery shooting in the direction of Pokrovsk, one of the hottest parts of the front line now.

WALSH (voice-over): Rocket launchers, a rise in surveillance drones. But this is how it was at Easter, when Russia last declared a unilateral ceasefire.

"KIR," NATIONAL GUARD OF UKRAINE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

GRAPHIC: That ceasefire was broken several times. The Russian Federation opened fire. They used the ceasefire to move their troops, regroup, evacuate their wounded troops, bring in fresh forces, and gather along the front line for further assaults.

WALSH (voice-over): But they also share something remarkable. A window onto the future that's far from peaceful.

Outside of most drones' range, this vast Russian camp has sprung up in just the last two weeks. An endless network of dugouts, tarpaulins, vehicles, possibly thousands of Russian troops amassing to the South of their front lines. Probably not for a summer of peace.

Twelve hours into the ceasefire, we joined this drone unit. Warfare in 2025 is just six men in goggles sitting in the bushes. Feather-light Styrofoam, homemade drones with 40-kilometer range, smaller attack drones slugging it out in the skies.

Nothing has changed with the ceasefire today here. But the war itself seems to change with ingenuity. Every week. They now intercept the feeds of Russian drones themselves. See their enemy hunting them.

WALSH: So, this is you watching them, watching you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. WALSH: Okay.

WALSH (voice-over): Here's a Russian mortar strike on Ukrainians this morning. And a Russian attack on Ukrainian vehicle at 5 a.m.

WALSH: So, when you guys hear all the talk of how the White House wants to make peace happen here, how do you react to that kind of talk or idea?

"BANKIR," SECURITY SERVICE OF UKRAINE: Maybe it will be better they give us a real American weapon. And we will show how peace looks like.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We can make the peace.

"BANKIR": Because they attack our house. Why? We need to negotiate with somebody.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm from this current village. I'm born here, and my mother still live here. And I'm here to protect her.

WALSH (voice-over): Peace here something simple and vital without tricks or limits.

[00:40:05]

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, on the Eastern front in Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: And I'm Polo Sandoval in New York. For our international viewers, WORLD SPORT starts after the break. And for those watching in the United States, I'll be right back with much more on the election of Pope Leo XIV.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm feeling great. I'm feeling really good, because he's a good man and I predicted him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, when I found out that it was actually an American pope, I was really excited. You know, like having the leader of the Catholic Church be from the same country as I am just felt -- like, I just felt very proud.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Really happy. I'm really happy. It's a big surprise and a big blessing for the church and for the church in the United States, also. And the church in the -- in the Americas.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:45:43]

SANDOVAL: When white smoke poured from the chimney at Sistine Chapel on Thursday, the answer of who would become the next pope was finally answered. This after days of waiting.

Thousands of the Catholic faithful, they flocked to St. Peter's Square to see Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost take that head to the Vatican balcony as Pope Leo XIV.

Our David Culver talked to one young seminarian as they were there, taking it all in, to talk about that experience.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID CULVER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The smoke signaled, and the crowd responded.

CULVER: Oh. Oh my gosh.

CULVER (voice-over): Thousands flocking into St. Peter's Square, waiting, watching.

Then the moment: an American representing both the United States and Latin America stepping onto the balcony as pope. This is all you could see from here. But it didn't matter. You were here. You were living it.

CULVER: You can still see the smoke.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, white smoke. An illusion.

CULVER (voice-over): Hours earlier, before the smoke, before the crowd, before the cheers, we were across town at the Pontifical North American College.

FATHER ANTHONY LIGATO, ASSISTANT VICE RECTOR AT PONTIFICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE: So, Santa Mara (ph), that's right over there.

CULVER: Oh, wow.

CULVER (voice-over): From a rooftop with a clear view of the Vatican, Father Anthony Ligato and his seminarians were preparing to witness history, not knowing at the time how close to home it would hit.

LIGATO: Now, which one of them is going to be anointed by the Holy Spirit to be the next Holy Father? That -- the spirit knows. That's already been decided.

CULVER (voice-over): But they would have to wait for the reveal. Fortunately, patience is something 30-year seminarian Reed Robinson understands well. He's waited a long time to wear this collar.

REED ROBINSON, SEMINARIAN, PONTIFICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE: I've never had a moment when I didn't want to be a priest. So, before I can remember, I always wanted to be a priest. I remember when I was a little kid, I couldn't wait for first communion so I could start altar serving. There's pictures of me when I'm seven years old, you know, like this high wearing, you know, wearing the white, walking down the aisle, helping the priest out.

CULVER (voice-over): Now living in Rome, far from his home in Tennessee, Reed knew exactly where he needed to be when the time came.

ROBINSON: Actually, there was a note sent out to our university that, should there be white smoke while you're in class, everyone is free to go, including the professors. It won't be counted against you. And actually, you should go as fast as you can down to the square.

CULVER (voice-over): And that's what they did, pouring into St. Peter's Square boosted on shoulders, climbing over barricades. All for a better view.

But it wasn't about what you could see so much as what you could feel. The weight of the moment, the unity around you.

ROBINSON: Wow. Yes, yes. An American.

CULVER (voice-over): Only after the crowds begin to clear did we spot a familiar face. Reed, all smiles, still stunned.

ROBINSON: It's such a blessing to be standing here in the square. I'm looking at St. Peter's. You know, my walk home is five minutes. I can't thank the Lord enough. I mean, it's such a gift to be able to be here, be with you all. Be with, you know, 40,000 of my closest friends.

CULVER: Now to say there's an American pope. I mean, Reed, how do you process it?

ROBINSON: Just I mean, smile and pray. Smile and pray. I mean, it's exciting. We're sent here to Rome. The American college was literally sent here and founded so that men could come and grow in love for the Holy Father.

And now it's -- you know, after doing that for three years and coming to love Pope Francis, being able to mourn his loss, and then now welcoming an American pope, it's incredible.

CULVER: Take me back to the Reed Robinson as a seven-year-old altar server.

ROBINSON: Yes. Yes.

CULVER: Did you imagine this moment ever?

ROBINSON: Never. No, I could not have imagined it. I mean, goodness, yes. It's the biggest surprise. Yes. Being here for this moment, especially.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: David Culver reporting there from the Vatican.

And, you know, for some people in the U.S., Leo XIV is not only a pope. He's also a fellow Villanovan. You see, he earned his undergraduate degree at Villanova University near Philadelphia. This photo here from his college yearbook.

As Danny Freeman reports, current students are thrilled that one of their own is now leading the church.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, before Pope Leo XIV became pope, before he became a cardinal, before he even became a priest, he was here, just outside of Philadelphia, at Villanova University as an undergraduate.

FREEMAN (voice-over): He was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in mathematics. He graduated with that degree in 1977.

Also note that he got an honorary doctorate of humanities in 2014, as well.

And I'll just tell you, all day on Thursday, there was a tremendous amount of pride just beaming from this university, from faculty members, from students alike.

[00:50:05]

And I just want to read part of a statement that was put out by the university's president. Again, just so proud that one of their alums is now the pope.

The statement reads, "With today's election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, I cannot help but reflect on what his Augustinian papacy will 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, a statement from Reverend Peter M. Donahue, the president of Villanova University.

FREEMAN: But again, not just the president, not just the administration, not just the faculty, even students were so, so proud of this moment, as well. Take a listen to what some students told me when they heard the news and what it really meant to them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's just been such, like, an overwhelming amount of joy. And it's, like, just like a shared community joy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All my family is from Philly, and my mom went here. So, there's just a big legacy of Villanova, and everyone cares so much. And we're so excited for the new pope.

FREEMAN: A tremendous amount of pride, certainly a day that so many are not going to forget. And really, the folks here on campus believe that Pope Leo XIV will continue the tradition instilled here in Villanova University of "veritas, unitas, and caritas." Truth, unity and love.

Danny Freeman, CNN, Villanova University, Pennsylvania.

(END VIDEOTAPE) SANDOVAL: And on Thursday, CNN had the chance to speak to Maria Shriver, whose uncle, John F. Kennedy, was the first Catholic to become U.S. president. Shriver, also former first lady of California, an accomplished author and journalist. She spoke to CNN's Erin Burnett.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIN BURNETT, CNN ANCHOR: Did you ever think you would see this day?

MARIA SHRIVER, JOURNALIST, FORMER CALIFORNIA FIRST LADY: Yes, I did. I hoped to see this day in my lifetime, and I'm so excited.

I was born in Chicago two months after this pope, so I'm thinking about, wow, this is somebody who was born, lived in the Windy City, spent time there, but is also a man of the world who knows about the world, lived obviously in Peru.

From -- I've been reading up on him just in the last couple of hours. People view him as open, humble, honest, trustworthy, direct. That's the kind of voice the church needs. It's the kind of voice the world needs.

And I think this is great for America. But most important, I think it's great for the Catholic Church and great for the world.

BURNETT: It's pretty amazing to think that you were born just a couple of months apart in Chicago. You know, that is a stunning coincidence, a serendipity. I mean, what does this moment mean to you personally?

SHRIVER: Well, I think it's exciting. I understand that this is somebody who believed in the reforms that Pope Francis was trying to bring about in the church.

I'm a woman in the church, right? He's a former altar boy. I never grew up in a church that allowed girls to be altar boys. You now can see young women up on the altar.

But I think we're in the midst of a changing church. And I think Pope Francis did a lot to address that. And I think more will be needed to address that, if we want to fill the churches not only in this country but around the world.

I think the pope's voice is really important. We're in a spiritual crisis, I think, throughout the world. I think his voice will really help people look at people who are other in different ways. I think his voice will help us love people, recognize our shared humanity.

I think it will be good, I hope, for women in the church, which has always been a dream of mine, that women are more elevated in the church.

And this is somebody, as I said, born in Chicago in the '50s and spent a lot of time in this country and understands how so many parishes are run by women, or the volunteerism of women is super important in the church. The role of women is certainly super important. The role of nuns, super important.

And so, I'm excited. I'm thrilled by this choice, and I think it's going to be exciting to see what he does with it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: And Shriver also added that she believes that the new pope will not hesitate to weigh in on sensitive issues, but he will also be a voice of unity.

We know since Pope Leo was born in Chicago, baseball fans almost immediately started asking, is he a Cubs fan or perhaps a White Sox fan?

The Chicago Cubs, congratulating the new pontiff and shared this photo of a sign at Wrigley Field. And it reads, "Hey, Chicago, he's a Cubs fan."

But the pope's brother, setting the record straight.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How long has he been a Sox fan? Tell me about that.

JOHN PREVOST, BROTHER OF POPE LEO XIV: I would say as long as I've known him. All along.

[00:55:01]

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you guys go to the games?

PREVOST: Oh, yes. Yes, we did. Because really, from Dalton to Sox Park wasn't that big of a deal. And of course, we were both altar boys, so that was one of the rewards that we got was to go to a Sox game.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: The White Sox, seizing on the brother's comments, writing, quote, "Well, would you look at that? Congratulations to Chicago's own Pope Leo XIV."

Obviously, gone are his chances of any season tickets. He'll support them from the Vatican.

Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Polo Sandoval in New York. I will be right back with much more news right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)