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When Pope Leo XIV stepped into public view as the newly elected leader of the Catholic Church, the moment carried historic weight. He was the first pope born in the United States, a fact that instantly drew global attention and sparked conversations far beyond Vatican walls. For many, his election symbolized a shift—an acknowledgment that the center of gravity in the Church, and in the world, continues to move and diversify.
In the days following his election, cameras followed his every movement. Journalists analyzed his gestures, his expressions, the cadence of his voice. Social media dissected his background, his upbringing, his past statements. Expectations were high. Many assumed that such a historic figure would arrive with sweeping declarations or strong political signals, especially given the polarized climate in which he assumed the papacy.
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