Huge question about Pope Leo XIV answered as he's elected as first North American Pope

A massive question about Pope Leo XIV has been answered after he was confirmed as the first-ever American Pope on Thursday (8 May).

At the conclusion of the conclave yesterday evening, Cardinal Robert Prevost was unveiled to the Catholic faithful as the new head of the church.

After choosing the papal name of Pope Leo XIV, the 69-year-old made history as the first ever pope to hail the US.

Following less than two days of voting, the American has taken the reins from the late Pope Francis, who he had a close relationship with.

Pope Francis served as pontiff from 2013 to 2025, and passed away on Easter Monday after a long period of health issues that saw him in and out of hospital in recent months.

White smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel's chimney on Thursday evening, signalling that there was a new pope after cardinals gathered in Vatican City to submit their votes.

Of course, questions have been asked about the pope and who he is, and one in particular stood out - pertaining to his accent.

Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish, French and Italian descent.

Despite spending time in South America, the former Cardinal has not lost the accent he developed in The Windy City, with interview clips revealing that his American pronunciation is here to stay.

This could be a positive though, if Catholic commentators and experts are to be believed.

Austen Ivereigh, a Catholic writer, appeared on BBC Breakfast today (9 May) to speak about the subject, noting that it 'matters' that he will be speaking English with a Chicago accent.

He further explained that his American dialect may actually make him more relatable to an American audience.

The papal biographer said that this 'means they can't dismiss him in sometimes the way they tried to with Francis', who had an Argentinian accent when speaking English.

Ivereigh further noted that the choice to appoint him is a 'shift' in the 'geopolitical powers'.

He said: "The assumption has always been, America being the superpower, you couldn't have a pope who's also an American,

"But of course, America's role in the world has now changed."

I can confirm that Pope Leo does still have his Chicago accent.

Listen to him say "provinces," "respond," and "projects" in this 2013 video. pic.twitter.com/LjDx0Iao7S

— Matt Rice (@matt____rice) May 8, 2025

Pope Leo XIV greeted thousands of supporters on the balcony of the Sistine Chapel yesterday following his election.

Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti announced 'Habemus Papam' to confirm the election, translating to 'We have a Pope'.

He then introduced the new pope with his papal name.

Pope Leo XIV is known to embrace marginalised groups, similar to his predecessor Pope Francis, with the former pope appointing him in several positions in his time as head of the Catholic Church.