American Hope: What Pope Leo XIV means for the church and world

In the time it took to utter his name, Robert Prevost went from being a relatively unknown cardinal to one of the most famous people in the world. But who is this soft-spoken American who assumes the role of pope at a time of extraordinary global turbulence?<br /><br />In electing Leo XIV, the College of Cardinals broke with conventional wisdom that the Catholic Church could never be led by an American. In <i>American Hope</i> CNN Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb explores what the election of Pope Leo - a peacemaker figure and determined reformer - means not just for the Catholic Church but for the world. Setting his role in the context of previous popes who have had a powerful influence on global events, Lamb provides insight to the themes that will dominate Leo's papacy - from providing a spiritual counterweight to Donald Trump and a challenge to MAGA populism, to giving greater roles to women in the Catholic Church.<br /><br />Leo takes charge at a moment of renewed interest in Catholicism amongst Gen Z and an ongoing battle between conservatives and progressives within the church, sparked by Pope Francis' reforms. The first US-born pope is set to make a deep impact on the church at a transformative moment in its history, and present a gentle, but firm, message to the world's most powerful leaders.