I also am not a catholic, and was poisoned against them as the Anti Christ by a fundamentalist church. I am no longer a Christian either. But I think a sincere and caring leader can do good in any religious framework. I’m so grateful for this Pope at this point in time, and also for Mr. Alter and his timely writing.
Love the historical background on the influence of Pope Leo XIII on FDRs New Deal….fascinating stuff. Hope you’re right that the pope can be a counter balance to Trumpism!
One cannot grow up in Chicago (or its environs) without absorbing its muscular pride and cantankerous zeal to challenge its detractors. There is also a palpable layer of Roman Catholicism on its neighborhoods (parishes in Catholic parlance). Even this Protestant kid from the Southside remembers we resided in St. Walter, St. Cajetan, and St. Barnabas parishes and I'm irrationally proud and excited for Da Pope.
Wonderful piece! I also find it heartening that even now the Vatican is getting in line rejecting autocracy behind German, Canada, and Australian recent votes! You go Leo!
Thanks Jon! This is a beautiful piece and such a strong move by the Catholic Church. As a Jew who now prays at the morning minyan, I am adding prayers for our country to heal and reject the populism and the authoritarianism that goes with it.
Today, I’m an optimist, exactly what you’ve written about Pope Leo XIV gives me hope today, and especially about FDR and Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical. We need to pray, no matter our religious or non-religious backgrounds (I’m Buddhist) that this Pope can make a difference, to what Trump is doing, to what the US is doing, to the poor and those whose middle-class hopes are falling apart, and I’m very hopeful that things can and will get better.
Well-said, Jon, as always. Thank you! I found myself glued to the proceedings today. The emotion the new Pope displayed was truly touching. While I am disappointed that the early reports of his Cubs fandom were in error, I can’t help but believe that we have a visionary, truly remarkable man leading not only the Catholic Church, but a voice that we need in today’s world. The political slippery slope of the tRumpers trying to get around this guy will be a difficult one. It will be harder for them to disavow an American Pope. And yet….
For the first time since the election I felt a lifting of a small measure of the angst I’ve been swallowed by. ( hope) I am not a Catholic, I am from the Chicago area. We were Cubs fans, but my Grandpa from the South side loved his White Sox. There is nothing “Ugly American” about this Pope who is tied so closely and so knowledgeable about South America. If one believes in the breath of God that includes all faiths, surely it must have been blowing through the Conclave. Even if there are so many ways that exclude me from the Catholic Church I hope the world will embrace the polar opposite of 47 and Vance. Thanks for a great column.
Great piece Jon. Makes be proud to be a Notre Dame ex-Catholic.
Btw I was also at that ‘66 Beatles concert. I carry a vivid memory of the explosion of flashbulbs and girls’ screams that greeted the Boys when they finally took the field.
I also am not a catholic, and was poisoned against them as the Anti Christ by a fundamentalist church. I am no longer a Christian either. But I think a sincere and caring leader can do good in any religious framework. I’m so grateful for this Pope at this point in time, and also for Mr. Alter and his timely writing.
Love the historical background on the influence of Pope Leo XIII on FDRs New Deal….fascinating stuff. Hope you’re right that the pope can be a counter balance to Trumpism!
Nice read.
One cannot grow up in Chicago (or its environs) without absorbing its muscular pride and cantankerous zeal to challenge its detractors. There is also a palpable layer of Roman Catholicism on its neighborhoods (parishes in Catholic parlance). Even this Protestant kid from the Southside remembers we resided in St. Walter, St. Cajetan, and St. Barnabas parishes and I'm irrationally proud and excited for Da Pope.
This article gives me a measure of hope. Thanks, Jonathan
Starting to find more hope--
🤭 This piece was both historically informative, and fun to read. It made me smile and chuckle more than once with morning coffee.
Wonderful piece! I also find it heartening that even now the Vatican is getting in line rejecting autocracy behind German, Canada, and Australian recent votes! You go Leo!
Thank you Jon.
Thanks Jon! This is a beautiful piece and such a strong move by the Catholic Church. As a Jew who now prays at the morning minyan, I am adding prayers for our country to heal and reject the populism and the authoritarianism that goes with it.
I love the interfaith possibilities! Thanks, Risa
Great article Jonathan!
Today, I’m an optimist, exactly what you’ve written about Pope Leo XIV gives me hope today, and especially about FDR and Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical. We need to pray, no matter our religious or non-religious backgrounds (I’m Buddhist) that this Pope can make a difference, to what Trump is doing, to what the US is doing, to the poor and those whose middle-class hopes are falling apart, and I’m very hopeful that things can and will get better.
Hi Jon, long time. Thanks for this.
Wow, Sal! Good to hear from you!! Thanks
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/14/opinion/harvard-trump-american-revolution/
Well-said, Jon, as always. Thank you! I found myself glued to the proceedings today. The emotion the new Pope displayed was truly touching. While I am disappointed that the early reports of his Cubs fandom were in error, I can’t help but believe that we have a visionary, truly remarkable man leading not only the Catholic Church, but a voice that we need in today’s world. The political slippery slope of the tRumpers trying to get around this guy will be a difficult one. It will be harder for them to disavow an American Pope. And yet….
For the first time since the election I felt a lifting of a small measure of the angst I’ve been swallowed by. ( hope) I am not a Catholic, I am from the Chicago area. We were Cubs fans, but my Grandpa from the South side loved his White Sox. There is nothing “Ugly American” about this Pope who is tied so closely and so knowledgeable about South America. If one believes in the breath of God that includes all faiths, surely it must have been blowing through the Conclave. Even if there are so many ways that exclude me from the Catholic Church I hope the world will embrace the polar opposite of 47 and Vance. Thanks for a great column.
Great piece Jon. Makes be proud to be a Notre Dame ex-Catholic.
Btw I was also at that ‘66 Beatles concert. I carry a vivid memory of the explosion of flashbulbs and girls’ screams that greeted the Boys when they finally took the field.
I was in 4th row in 1964 at Beatles Red Rocks show! Couldn't hear anything for the screaming! Fab!!!
I had no idea you were there, Geof. I bet you had a better seat, though my aggressive mom brought us up closer during the concert....