Javascript is required to use this website.

AP Spotlight

There's an American pope, and he's just like us. At least, we really, really want him to be

TED ANTHONY AP National Writer
May 25, 2025
May 25, 2025 Updated Jun 21, 2025

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
SMS
Email
Print
Save

WASHINGTON — By the middle of last week, it became clear that something odd was happening. It was about the time that the fake video started circulating about the woman purporting to recount the "situationship" she'd had with Robert Prevost, the new American pope, decades ago when he was just another guy from Chicago.

kAm(6V5 2=C625J D66? %@AAD[ E96 32D632==\42C5 4@>A2?J[ :DDF6 2 ?6H 42C5 @7 !@A6 {6@ )x' E92E H2D 2== @G6C 6q2J] (6V5 962C5 23@FE 9:D 277:?:EJ 7@C E96 (9:E6 $@I 2?5 D66? 2 8=:>AD6 @7 9:> :? E96 4C@H5 2E E96 a__d (@C=5 $6C:6D] p?5 :? E96 H2<6 @7 @?=:?6 DA64F=2E:@? @G6C H96E96C 96 72G@C65 E96 r9:428@ 3667 D2?5H:49 @C r9:428@\DEJ=6 9@E 5@8D[ H6V5 D66? !@CE:==@VD[ 2 =@42= 62E6CJ[ ?2>6 2 D2?5H:49 27E6C 9:> — QQ2 5:G:?6=J D62D@?65 xE2=:2? 3667[ 32AE:K65 :? 8C2GJ 2?5 7:?:D965 H:E9 E96 9@=J EC:?:EJ @7 A6AA6CD]Qk^Am

People are also reading…

Lake Geneva receives update on Hillmoor Zone 1 project
Lake Geneva restaurant owner honored for quick response
Riga-Tony’s serves Italian with style, fun and flair
New Lake Geneva event a celebration of America's 250th anniversary
Look Ahead: Happy Easter in Lake Geneva! Plus a best-selling author visit & local live music
Lake Geneva approves dining facility for Bible camp
Incumbent faces former council member for District 3 seat
Work begins on project to honor Dungeons & Dragons co-founder Gary Gygax
Lake Geneva considers speed bumps for slowing down traffic
Judge orders Trump to halt White House ballroom construction unless Congress OKs it
Jacob Misiorowski strong again as Brewers use 6-run 8th inning to power past Rays
Lake Geneva changes Highway 50 plat for planned path project
12-year-old arrested in death of classmate who was hit in the head by a metal water bottle
Riga-Tony’s serves Italian with style, fun and flair
Pam Bondi, Trump loyalist who oversaw Justice Department upheaval, is out as attorney general

Marlins White Sox Baseball — The Chicago White Sox honors Pope Leo XIV on the scoreboard before a baseball game May 8 against the Miami Marlins in Chicago. Americans are reveling in having a U.S.-born pope.
David Banks, Associated Press

kAm%96? E96C6 H2D E96 x?DE28C2> G:56@ 762EFC:?8 EH@ 8FJD @FE=:?:?8 E96 H2JD E96 ?6H A@?E:77 H2D 2 AC@5F4E @7 9:D FA3C:?8:?8i Q%96 A@A6VD 2 |:5H6DE6C?6C] qC625 2?5 H:?6 :D ?@H 4966D6 2?5 366C[Q D2JD @?6] #6E@CED E96 @E96Ci Q%96 A@A6VD 2 |:5H6DE6C?6C] r@==64E:@? 32D<6ED ?@H 2446AE z@9=VD 42D9]Qk^Am

kAmkDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>Qm!@A6Di %96JVC6 ;FDE =:<6 FDnk^DA2?mk^Am

New Pope Reax Chicago — A Chicago Sun-Times newspaper front page shows "DA POPE!" at a grocery store in Mount Prospect, Ill., May 9.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press

kAmkDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>Qm}@E 6I24E=J]k^DA2?m %96 7@C>6C q@3 !C6G@DE :D 92C5=J ;FDE 2?@E96C 8FJ 7C@> r9:428@] qFE J@F H@F=5?VE <?@H E92E 3J E96 3FCDE @7 p>6C:42? 72?72C6 DFCC@F?5:?8 E96 ?6H=J >:?E65 !@A6 {6@ )x'] kDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>Qmw6 92D 366? 42==65 @FE 7@C 9:D 62E:?8 AC@4=:G:E:6D Wy:>>J u2==@?i Q566A\5:D9 4@>>F?:@? H276CDnQX[ 7@C 9:D DA@CED 277:=:2E:@?D[ 7@C 9:D =:G6=J D:3=:?8 C6=2E:@?D9:AD 2?5 >@C6] u2<6 G:56@D @7 9:> H6:89:?8 :? @? 32D<6E32== 2?5 s@?2=5 %CF>A :? 4=2DD:4 |:5H6DE6C? H2JD 2C6 AC@=:76C2E:?8]k^DA2?mk^Am

kAm(9J 2C6 H6 D@ 7@4FD65 @? >2<:?8 DFC6 E96 DFAC6>6 =6256C @7 E96 #@>2? r2E9@=:4 r9FC49 :D 2=D@ 2 C68F=2C 8FJ 7C@> E96 |:5H6DEn $@>6 @7 :E :D AC:56[ J@F 36E492] qFE 2?@E96C 2?DH6C =:6D :? p>6C:42?DV A64F=:2C 2?5 4@>A=6I C6=2E:@?D9:A H:E9 72>6 2?5 A@H6C E92E 8@6D H2J 324< E@ E96 7@F?5:?8 @7 E96 ?2E:@? :ED6=7]k^Am

New Pope Leo XIV Brother — John Prevost, brother of new Pope Leo XIV, holds a portrait of the three Prevost brothers from 1958 while answering reporters' questions outside his home, May 8, in New Lenox, Ill.
John J. Kim, Chicago Tribune

k9amkDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>Qmp>6C:42? VC68F=2C 8FJ\:D>V 3682? H:E9 E96 ?2E:@? :ED6=7k^DA2?mk^9am

kAm(96? E96 &?:E65 $E2E6D 3642>6 E96 &?:E65 $E2E6D :? `ffe[ :E C6;64E65 z:?8 v6@C86 xxx[ E96 4C@H?VD E2I6D 2?5 E96 @C?2E6 244@FEC6>6?ED 2?5 D6?D:3:=:E:6D E92E DFCC@F?565 C@J2=EJ]k^Am

kAmx? :ED A=246 8C6H 56>@4C24J[ 67764E:G6=J E96 4F=E @7 E96 C68F=2C 8FJ] kDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>QmpD E96 564256D A2DD65[ E96 D6?D:3:=:EJ @7 Q6776E6Q C@J2=EJ 7C@> 324< 62DE — H96E96C Q324< 62DEQ H2D t?8=2?5 @C[ F=E:>2E6=J[ (2D9:?8E@? — 3642>6 D4@C?65]k^DA2?m qJ E96 E:>6 p?5C6H y24<D@?VD 7@C> @7 A@AF=:D> 3682? E@ 7=@FC:D9 :? E96 `gb_D[ E96 QC68F=2C 8FJQ :? E96 C:D:?8 56>@4C2E:4 C6AF3=:4 3642>6 2 C6G6C65 EC@A6] kDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>Qm%9FD E96 E2=6D @7 p3C292> {:?4@=? 8C@H:?8 FA :? 2 =@8 423:? 2?5 DA=:EE:?8 C2:=D ;FDE =:<6 E96 C6DE @7 FD — @C[ 2E =62DE[ E96 `hE9\46?EFCJ CFC2= p>6C:42? QC6DE @7 FD]Qk^DA2?mk^Am

kAmQ~FC 4F=EFC6 :D @?6 E92E :D 32D65 @? E96 C6;64E:@? @7 >@?2C49J 2?5 4=2DD 5:DE:?4E:@?D 2?5 J6E :D 72D4:?2E65 3J >@?2C49:6D 2?5 E9@D6 H9@ H6 D66 2D D6E 23@G6 2?5 2A2CE[Q D2JD s2G:5 v:3D@?[ 5:C64E@C @7 E96 r6?E6C @? #6=:8:@? 2?5 rF=EFC6 2E u@C592> &?:G6CD:EJ] Q(6 H2?E E96D6 7:8FC6D E@ =@@< FA E@ 3FE 2=D@ E@ D:E 5@H? H:E9]Qk^Am

kAmp?5 :E 92D DE2J65 E92E H2J[ A@=:E:42==J 2?5 4F=EFC2==J[ C:89E FA F?E:= E@52J]k^Am

Vatican Pope Reax Chicago — A man takes a picture of a brochure that reads "A prayer of thankfulness for the election of Pope Leo XIV" during a mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, May 11.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press

kAm%9:?< 23@FE 9@H E96 :562= AC6D:56?E:2= 42?5:52E6 92D 6G@=G65 7C@> E96 E:>6 @7[ D2J[ uC2?<=:? s] #@@D6G6=E[ 2? 6776E6 t2DE6C?6C H9@ 72G@C65 2 =@?8 4:82C6EE6 9@=56C[ E@ E@52J] #@?2=5 #6282? E2=<65 :? E96 9@>6DAF? =2?8F286 @7 962CE9 2?5 9@>6] q:== r=:?E@? A=2J65 2 D2I 2?5 2?DH6C65 E96 E:>6\9@?@C65 BF6DE:@? @7 Q3@I6CD @C 3C:67D]Q v6@C86 qFD9[ ?@H 2 ?@?5C:?<6C[ 3642>6 Q2 8FJ J@FV5 H2?E E@ 92G6 2 366C H:E9]Q kDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>QmWy@? $E6H2CE 72>@FD=J D9@E E92E 5@H? 3J D2J:?8i Qx H2?E >J AC6D:56?E E@ 36 E96 56D:8?2E65 5C:G6C]QXk^DA2?mk^Am

Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack

kAm%9:D 5@H?\E@\t2CE9 D6?D:3:=:EJ H2D 6G:56?E :? E96 AC6DD 4@?76C6?46 E92E p>6C:42? 42C5:?2=D 96=5 27E6C {6@ H2D 6=6G2E65] }@ :?E6?D6 49FC49 >FD:4 244@>A2?:65 E96:C 6?EC2?46j :?DE625[ :E H2D Qp>6C:42? !:6Q 2?5 qCF46 $AC:?8DE66?VD Qq@C? :? E96 &$pQ — 7@F?52E:@?2= A:==2CD @7 A@AF=2C 4F=EFC6[ H:E9 2? 6>A92D:D @? QA@AF=2C]Q kDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>Qm%96 >6DD286i %9:D :D ?@E 2 Q324< 62DEQ A@A6]k^DA2?mk^Am

kAmQ!@A6D 92G6 2=H2JD 366? 2=:6? — DEC2?86CD[Q D2JD y@9? q2:4<[ 2? p>6C:42? 9:DE@C:2? 2E (6DE6C? }6H t?8=2?5 &?:G6CD:EJ] Q(6 =:<6 2?5 ECFDE E92E 96 :D @?6 @7 FD] %96 |:5H6DE :D E96 A=246 @7 92C5 H@C<[ E96 A=246 @7 5646?4J[ E96 A=246 @7 =:DE6?:?8[ E96 A=246 @7 >2??6CD] %9:D :D E96 A6CD@? J@F H2?E E@ D:E @? E96 @E96C D:56 @7 E92E 5:?6C @? 2 $F?52J >@C?:?8]Qk^Am

kAmw6 A=246D {6@VD 2D46?D:@? 2D 2 3@@<6?5 E@ y@9? u] z6??65JVD 6=64E:@? :? `he_ — 2 C6D@F?5:?8 D:8?2=kDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>Qm[ E9:D E:>6 8=@32==J[k^DA2?m E92E r2E9@=:4:D> :D 4@>A2E:3=6 H:E9 p>6C:42?:D>]k^Am

kAmqFE 2D 7@C E96 Q96VD @?6 @7 FDQ 2AAC@249[ E92E D2JD >@C6 23@FE E96 A6@A=6 H2E49:?8 {6@ E92? 23@FE E96 24EF2= A@A6] Qw6 92D 5@?6 ?@?6 @7 E9:D 9:>D6=7[Q q2:4< D2JD] Q%96 4@??64E:@?D 2C6 E9:?8D E92E H6 92G6 56DA6C2E6=J 4C62E65] (6 2C6 D@ 56DA6C2E6 7@C ?@C>2=4J[ 7@C 2 C68F=2C 8FJ]Qk^Am

k9amkDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>Qm%9:D 8FJ :D 72C >@C6 E92? E96 A@A6 ?6IE 5@@Ck^DA2?mk^9am

kAmkDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>Qmp?5 J6E ]]]k^DA2?mk^Am

kAmp>6C:42?D 72>@FD=J 25@C65 !C:?46DD s:2?2[ QE96 A6@A=6VD AC:?46DD]Q !6@A=6 =:<6 E96 z6??65JD 2?5 vC246 z6==J — 367@C6 D96 3642>6 2? 24EF2= AC:?46DD — H6C6 C676CC65 E@ 2D Qp>6C:42? C@J2=EJ]Q kDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>Qmp?5 6G6? E9@F89 H6VC6 2 =@?8 H2J 7C@> E96 52JD @7 q@8:6[ q242== 2?5 vC6E2 v2C3@ — 2 86?6C2E:@? :?E@ E96 Q$E2CDi %96JVC6 yFDE {:<6 &DQ 6C2 — p>6C:42?D DE:== =@G6 E@ AFE A6@A=6 @? A656DE2=D 2?5 3C:?8 E96> 324< 5@H?[ D@>6E:>6D 2E E96 D2>6 E:>6]k^DA2?mk^Am

kAm%96 =2E6DE :E6C2E:@? @7 E9:D :D E:65 E@ C62=:EJ %'[ H9:49 E@@< C68F=2C A6@A=6 2?5 EFC?65 E96> :?E@ A6CD@?2=:E:6D[ 7:8FC6D[ 4@>>@5:E:6D]k^Am

kAmkDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>QmQ%9:D 4@F?ECJ :D A@D:E:@?65 2D 2 A=246 H96C6 2?J3@5J 42? DF44665] xE A=2JD 5:C64E=J :?E@ E92E — E96 C68F=2C A6CD@? H9@ DF44665D @? 2 =2C86 D42=6[Q D2JD s2?:6==6 {:?56>2??[ 2FE9@C @7 Q%CF6 $E@CJi (92E #62=:EJ %' $2JD p3@FE &D]Qk^DA2?mk^Am

kAmkDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>QmQ(6VC6 <:?5 @7 @3D6DD65 H:E9 E9:D 6G6CJ52J y@6 H9@ :D A=F4<65 7C@> @3D4FC:EJ 2?5 364@>6D 72>@FD] x? E96 &?:E65 $E2E6D[ E92EVD 2 D2=:6?E 2?5 5@>:?2?E ?2CC2E:G6[Q D2JD {:?56>2??[ 2 AC@76DD@C @7 D@4:@=@8J 2E {69:89 &?:G6CD:EJ :? !6??DJ=G2?:2] Q(6 2=>@DE 766= =:<6 H6 92G6 C6=2E:@?D9:AD H:E9 E96D6 A6@A=6] (6VC6 86EE:?8 D@ >F49 A6CD@?2= :?7@C>2E:@? 23@FE 9:>[ 2?5 :E 724:=:E2E6D E92E D6?D6 @7 4=@D6?6DD]Qk^DA2?mk^Am

Vatican Conclave New Pope Reax Chicago — Sue Rosinski holds a Pope Leo XIV-themed shirt she bought outside Rate Field before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins, May 10, in Chicago.
Erin Hooley, Associated Press

kAm!C6G@DE[ @7 4@FCD6[ :D ?@E J@FC 2G6C286 |:5H6DE6C?6C] w:D $A2?:D9[ 2>@?8 @E96C E@?8F6D[ :D 7=F6?E] w6 DA6?E EH@ 564256D :? !6CF[ H96C6 96 2=D@ 9@=5D 4:E:K6?D9:A kDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>QmW2?5 H96C6[ :E >FDE 36 D2:5[ E96C6 :D 7@@E286 @7 9:> D:?8:?8 Qu6=:K }2G:525Q :?E@ 2 >:4C@A9@?6 2E 2 r9C:DE>2D A2CEJXk^DA2?m] p?5 E96C6VD E92E D>2== >2EE6C E92E 96 :D ?@H E96 9625 @7 2 8=@32= 49FC49 @7 `]c 3:==:@? D@F=D]k^Am

kAm$@ 2 ?6H 6C2 368:?D 7@C 3@E9 E96 &?:E65 $E2E6D 2?5 E96 r2E9@=:4 r9FC49 — 2? 286\@=5 9:6C2C49J 2?5 2 D@4:6EJ E92E 56>2?5D 682=:E2C:2?:D>[ @C E96 2AA62C2?46 @7 :E[ 7C@> E96 A6@A=6 :E =@@<D FA E@] p?5 2E E96 :?E6CD64E:@? @7 E9@D6 EH@ AC:?4:A=6D D:ED #@36CE !C6G@DE[ !@A6 {6@ )x'kDA2? 4=2DDlQAC:?E0EC:>Qm[ 2? 244@>A=:D965 >2? :? 9:D @H? C:89E 3FE 2=D@ 2? 6>AEJ G6DD6= :?E@ H9:49 3C@25 DH2E9D @7 9F>2?:EJ H:== A@FC E96:C 6IA64E2E:@?D — 36 E96J 23@FE 6E6C?:EJ @C D:>A=J E96 $@FE9 $:56 @7 r9:428@k^DA2?m]k^Am

kAmQ!@A6D H2?E E@ 4@??64E H:E9 A6@A=6[ 2?5 E96 49FC49 H2?ED E92E 2D H6==] qFE E96 A6C:= :D E92E DF49 72>:=:2C:EJ 3C665D ?@E D@ >F49 4@?E6>AE 2D 5:D@365:6?46[Q v:3D@? D2JD]k^Am

kAmQ%96 A@A6 :D ?@E J@FC 7C:6?5] w6 :D ?@E 8@:?8 E@ D:E 5@H? 2?5 92G6 2 366C H:E9 J@F[Q 96 D2JD] Qx7 J@F E9:?< E96 A@A6 :D J@FC A2=[ H:== J@F 766= 36EC2J65 H96? 96 C6>:?5D J@F @7 J@FC C6=:8:@FD 2?5 >@C2= 5FE:6D[ 2?5 49:56D J@F 7@C 72:=:?8 E@ 7@==@H E96>nQk^Am

Photos: A new pope, Leo XIV, is chosen

APTOPIX Vatican Conclave — White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alessandra Tarantino

Vatican Conclave New Pope — CORRECTS TO LEO, NOT LEONE - Cardinals following the election of Cardinal Robert F. Prevost as the 267th pope, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Andrew Medichini

APTOPIX Vatican Conclave New Pope — Clerics wave US flags during the speech of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Francisco Seco

Vatican Conclave New Pope Peru — In this photo released by the Diocese of Chulucanas, Bishop Robert Prevost leads an anniversary celebration of the Diocese in Chulucanas, Peru, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. (Diocese of Chulucanas via AP)
HONS

Peru New Pope — In this photo released by the Diocese of Chulucanas, Bishop Robert Prevost, third from right, poses with members of the clergy in Chulucanas, Peru, Aug. 12, 2024. (Diocese of Chulucanas via AP)
HONS

Ted Anthony, director of new storytelling and newsroom innovation for The Associated Press, has been writing about American culture since 1990.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.