Pope Leo XIV had an initial one-word response when asked by a reporter on Monday if he had a message for his native United States. It left observers wondering if the pontiff would soon have more to say about President Donald Trump’s policies.

Speaking to EWTN News Nightly anchor Catherine Hadro on Monday, Rooney — also a former U.S. representative — said that Leo will be a “fantastic Pope” because he “can communicate with people in a very clear but nonthreatening way.”

On "This Week," Cardinal Cupich said Pope Leo XIV may call for changes to the United States immigration system.

Pope Leo XIV is busy in his first full week of work in the Vatican, but will he consider making a trip home to Chicago in the near future?

President Donald Trump said the selection of Cardinal Robert F. Prevost to be pope is "a great honor" for the U.S., noting he will be the first American-born pontiff.

Chicagoans celebrated the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the U.S. and a Chicago native, with joy and hope for a renewed focus on social justice and unity within the Catholic Church.

In his advocacy of the poor, migrants and a more open church, many people see the new pope as a continuation of his predecessor.

Pope Leo XIV is now the most powerful American Catholic in the world, and experts say he must aptly walk the line between U.S. politics and his papal duties.