It’s hard to believe, but nearly 10 years have passed since Donald Trump descended that golden escalator in Trump Tower and, in less than two minutes, placed Mexicans squarely in his rhetorical crosshairs.

Early coverage of Pope Leo XIV has explored the first American pontiff’s Chicago upbringing, as well as the many years he spent in Peru, first as a missionary and then as a bishop. Genealogist Jari Honora broke the story of the pope’s ancestors’ connection to the Creole of color community in New Orleans.

Pope Leo XIV, who is the first American pope in history, has lineage among “free people of color” in the U.S. dating back to at least the 1840s, a genealogist told Forbes.

Census records for Leo's maternal grandparents hint at the complexity of Creole identity and of Black identity in America.

Presiding over a Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Leo was inaugurated as the first American pope, in a ceremony filled with ancient and symbolic rituals.

VATICAN CITY — Jewish leaders got up-front seats at Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass . An American rabbi there and other representatives saw that as a hopeful sign for an upswing of Catholic-Jewish relations under the first U.S.-born pontiff , after a strained relationship with his predecessor.

Pope Leo's messages and interactions – with a clear emphasis on both peace and justice, as well as dialogue – have already begun to renew Ukrainian spirits.

Tens of thousands came to St. Peter’s Square to mark the official start of the pontificate of the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Vice President JD Vance was among the dignitaries who attended.

After celebrating his first Mass as pope, Leo XIV is slated to have a full schedule in the coming days. His next engagement is expected to be a May 10 meeting with cardinals. He'll then have midday prayers on May 11 from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.