I have to say that until this very moment, I never gave a moment’s thought to what I am about to post on this blog.

The Catholic Church is now being led by an American-born pontiff. Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago. He’s a White Sox fan. He also is fluent in many languages.

What I never have thought about is this: What language does the pope use in casual conversation when he’s knocking around the Vatican? Does he speak his American-accented English, his first language? Or does he speak in Italian, or Spanish, or Latin … or any of the other languages he speaks with ease?

I continue to be amazed that the College of Cardinals selected an American to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. To be candid, Leo XIV’s prresence draws me — a baptized Orthodox Christian — a touch closer to Catholicism.