American Hope

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?

In electing Leo XIV, the College of Cardinals broke with conventional wisdom that the Catholic Church could never be led by an American. In American Hope 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.

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.

Author Biography

Christopher Lamb is CNN’s Vatican Correspondent who covered the funeral of Pope Francis and the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV. He has been a journalist for two decades, starting as a reporter for the Daily Telegraph where he worked on the newspaper’s diary column, a role that tasked him with breaking stories from the world of politics, showbusiness, royalty and the arts. As a Vatican reporter, he seeks to combine journalistic instincts with his understanding of theology and religion. Lamb studied theology at the University of Durham and worked for several years at The Tablet, a Catholic publication. He is based in CNN’s Rome and London bureaux.