- 09 May, 2025
Chicago, 9 May 2025: In an exclusive interview with ABC News, the brother of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV shared his feelings about the remarkable event that has captivated the world. Speaking candidly about the whirlwind of emotions and responsibilities since the announcement, he admitted, "To be honest, there hasn't been a chance to think about it because it's been constant phone calls, emails, messages, interviews. So, I don't think it's really sunk in."
Unexpected Journey to the Papacy
His pride was tempered with a hint of disbelief, revealing that he never truly expected his brother to be elected. "I kept hearing there will never be an American Pope just because of politics and the United States has too much world power now. They don’t need that in the Church. So, I did not expect it," he shared.
The brother recalls the moment he first suspected his brother could be among the final contenders. "Maybe like a day or two after the Pope died, and they were talking about who the runner-ups were and who was in line next to be Pope," he explained. He had spoken with Pope Leo XIV just before the conclave began, but he only repeatedly denied any possibility, saying, "No, that's not true. That's not true."
The Moment of Revelation
On the day of the announcement, he was at home reading a book when he received a text confirming the white smoke had risen from the Vatican's chimney. "I went down and turned the TV on. No one knew at that point who the Pope was, but there was white smoke, so we knew. I called my niece to make sure she knew," he recalled. "We just sat there and watched it, and then she said, 'Look, the curtains are moving.' I said, 'Well, something's coming up.' And then we heard the name. She screamed, and I said, 'Oh my gosh, here we go.' And then it’s been nonstop."
A Glimpse Into Pope Leo XIV’s Character
From that moment on, the world began calling his brother "Pope." As someone who knows him better than most, he was asked what kind of person Pope Leo XIV truly is. "A regular, a run-of-the-mill person," he answered. "He was trained in missionary work in South America for many years. He will be looking out for the disenfranchised, the poor, and those who don’t have a voice."
Reflecting on his brother's legacy and approach, he said, "I think he will follow in Pope Francis' footsteps. He believes in those same issues." When asked how Pope Leo XI would differ from his predecessor, Pope Francis, he admitted, "I don’t know if you’ll see a big difference. My brother met Pope Francis before he was Pope when he was in Argentina, and my brother was in Peru. So that’s how the connection began. They kind of believed in the same issues."
Fascinating Childhood Memory
The Pope’s brother also touched on their shared upbringing in Chicago, where the family was closely connected to the Church community. However, after eighth grade, Pope Leo XIV left for the seminary and was rarely home during his later years. "He wasn’t around a whole lot, because after eighth-grade graduation, he went immediately to the seminary," he explained. Despite this, they had a regular childhood, with no one really thinking much about his future in the Church.
The brother shared a fascinating memory from their childhood: "The interesting thing I don’t know how many people find it interesting, but when he was in first grade, a woman across the street, our neighbour, said he would be the first American Pope."
The interview with Pope Leo XIV’s brother offers a personal and intimate glimpse into the life of the man who will now lead the Catholic Church, shedding light on the journey of a regular kid from Chicago who would one day change the course of history.
Source: ABC News
© 2025 CATHOLIC CONNECT POWERED BY ATCONLINE LLP
