Interview on the Election of Pope Leo XIV

Everything is new and little is known — but what an exciting moment to be a sociologist of religion attentive to changes in the US and global Catholic Church. Having shared space, croissants, and company with Cardinal Robert Prevost during the Synod on Synodality, I watched in awe with the rest of the world as he emerged from the balcony of St. Peter’s Square as Pope Leo XIV.

I looked back at my notes from my time at the Synod assemblies in October 2024 and found scribbled on one of the pages Robert Prevost’s name with a note-to-self that read simply: “I like him.”

Needless to say, the world is watching and I am smiling and deeply curious as a sociologist to see what sustains and what changes from here. Thanks to WBIR for the invitation to come in to the studio on the day of Pope Leo XIV’s election, still so new.

It’s still sinking in that the Cardinals have chosen the 267th pope from the United States. Learn more about US Catholics from my own research, Pew Research Center, and other sociologists of religion asking great questions.