3 hours ago, Iz 🌟 said:

I subscribe to the theory that at least in part (in part because God himself knows the Church has far more important things than America on its mind) this provides a good counterbalance. He's not a supporter of the current American administration, and along with his deep connections to South America, can act as an American that the many Catholics around the world will listen to ahead of Trump.

Previously they might have avoided a pope from a superpower because it's too much power concentrated in one country, but this seems to be an admission that that doesn't really matter.

I certainly hope so. ❤️

Yeh I’m not sure him being American =him supporting everything Trump does. Even if he is a republican does that = him being a Trumpian Rep?

On 08/05/2025 at 22:05, Suedehead2 said:

Many people from South American countries consider themselves to be American, in the same way that I call myself European. Therefore, to call Leo the first American pope will offend many people, most obviously Argentinians.

But in English, there is only one adjective for people from the USA, and that's American. Also, this pope is half Peruvian and spent most of his life in Peru, doubling the meaning of American. It's not offensive at all.