BURSTFormer President Obama congratulated Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, on his selection as the next pontiff for the Roman Catholic Church.
“Michelle and I send our congratulations to a fellow Chicagoan, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV,’ Obama wrote in a Thursday post on X.
“This is a historic day for the United States, and 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,” he added.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Peru. He is the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of Roman Catholicism.
The 69-year-old hails from Dolton, a neighborhood on Chicago’s south side. He grew up with his two brothers, Louis and John, who were raised by parents of French, Italian and Spanish descent.
His career in the Catholic Church began at a young age when he was selected to become an altar boy at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Chicago.
“Everything dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago! Congratulations to the first American Pope Leo XIV! We hope to welcome you back home soon,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D)wrote in a Thursday post on X, moments after the announcement.