First ever American pope Leo reveals his singing voice in his first mass since being appointed

The world watched on yesterday (8 May) as white smoke billowed out the Vatican chimney signalling that a new Bishop of Rome to replace the late Pope Francis had been chosen.

The choice was made just a little over 24 hours since the new papal election began leading the College of Cardinals to eventually land upon the likes of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost - who chose Pope Leo as his papal name - to now be the new Head of the Catholic Church.

And, this morning (9 May), the world got to hear his singing voice in his first-ever mass since being appointed. Have a listen:

Pope Leo - who is considered a moderate when it comes to 21st century Catholic beliefs - is the first pope to hail from the United States, having been born in Chicago.

He also shares some of the same sentiments as his predecessor in that he's passionate about helping migrants and the poor, and has even previously condemned Donald Trump for his immigration policies.

One post he retweeted blasting the US leader read: “There is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages. This is being carried out in our name and the shame is on us all.”

Jesus Leon Angeles, who has known Pope Leo for eight years, described him as a 'very simple' person who is always keen to help others.

Having become ordained at just 27, Pope Leo hasn't spent too much time in his home country in the years since, and at one point served as a missionary in Peru.

Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope (ALBERTO PIZZOLI / Contributor / Getty Images)

He only became a cardinal in 2023, and has stayed relatively out of the spotlight, at one point even telling the Vatican’s official news website: "The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom."

He has chosen the name Leo, as per a long-standing papal tradition. Therefore, he'll be known as Pope Leo XIV.

It's not actually an official rule that popes have to change their name once appointed, but it's become a strong tradition, with the majority opting to make the change.

Choosing a new name is the first act a pope does once they've been appointed and the reason is because their new role signifies a second birth of sorts, according to the Vatican.

Not all popes have opted to switch out their name. According to the Vatican, out of the 267 popes in history, 129 have chosen new names.

Pope Leo was seen singing at his first mass at the Vatican (Vatican Pool / Contributor / Getty)

When it comes to which names popes will pick, sometimes it's simply the name of a predecessor as a sign of respect or to signal that they wish to follow in their footsteps in some way.

Meanwhile, others will opt away from this completely and choose something different to signify a new chapter.

In terms of Leo, it's the fifth most popular moniker chosen by leaders of the Catholic Church.

Given the fact that Leo XIII was a founding figure of the Catholic social justice tradition, opting for the name Leo could be a nod to strong leadership and doctrinal clarity, with some experts claiming it could indicate a leader who is strong during a time of global crisis.

The last pope to bear the name was Leo XIII who held the position from 1878 to 1903.

What are Pope Leo's beliefs?

Immigration

It's reported that the new leader ‘has chosen a name widely associated with the social justice legacy of Pope Leo XIII, who was pontiff at a time of epic upheaval in the world, the time of the industrial revolution, the beginning of Marxism, and widespread immigration'.

LGBTQ+ community

When it comes to LGBTQ+ views, in 2012 he expressed criticism of entertainment media that had 'sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel', which included the 'homosexual lifestyle' and 'alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children'. Whether those views have changed overtime is yet to be seen.

Poverty

Pope Leo was formerly the prior general of the Order of St. Augustine, which was a community of friars who were dedicated to poverty, service and evangelisation.

It is believed he shares similar views on the matter to Pope Francis as he drew his clergy's attention to his teachings on poverty.

Donald Trump

Old tweets from the pope about some of Donald Trump's actions have resurfaced and it's safe to say the new pope isn't Trump's number one fan.

One damning post he reshared from Cardinal Blase J. Cupich in 2018 read: “There is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages. This is being carried out in our name and the shame is on us all.”

Women in the church

In 2023, Pope Leo told Vatican News: “On several occasions we have seen that their point of view is an enrichment." The role of women in the Church is something people will be looking out for with Pope Leo as he supported his predecessor’s devision to allow women to join the Dicastery for Bishops for the first time.

Climate change

Speaking about climate change last year, the newly named pope has said it was time to make moves ‘from words to action’.