EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — From downtown Los Angeles to Rome, Americans everywhere are celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff. 

The 69-year-old Chicagoan began his first homily as pope in his native English, saying, “You have called me to carry that cross and to be blessed with that mission.”

Cecilia González-Andrieu, PhD., Professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University, joined Kate Cagle on “Your Afternoon” to discuss the significance of an American pope.