Speakers blasted “Born in the U.S.A. and ”American Pie" as six cardinal electors from the United States celebrated the first U.S. pope a day after Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV.

Bishop Edinson Farfán of Chiclayo, Peru, is publicly defending the actions of his predecessor, now Pope Leo XIV, in the face of accusations that he covered up sexual abuse.

Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, said he expects Pope Leo XIV "feels an obligation," to speak to what he called the issues of the day, amid "real challenges globally."

In his advocacy of the poor, migrants and a more open church, many people see the new pope as a continuation of his predecessor.