First American pope elected and will be known as Pope Leo XIV

How appropriately disconnected from the church to elect an American.

How so? The U.S. is the third-largest national Catholic population in the world, and it's by far the single largest national contributor to the Church’s global finances. Plus, anything that can bend the arc of U.S. history toward the Catholic missions of social justice and human rights is going to matter more in the next four years than it ever has.

It kinda has a shitty reputation right now, especially in Europe. This will embolden the clown in Chief and that isn't good for anyone.

Why was John Paul II elected? Because of politics.

This could be a factor here too. To try to mend, or keep America in faith, according how you look at things.

I'm wondering one thing - how will this affect Catholics in countries like Russia or China. I imagine their leadership will not like this at all, China especially. I know, not many of people there are Catholic, but still.

You're probably talking about Peter's Pence collection contribution which is just pocket change (a few millions). Dioclesian revenue, lease income, Vatican's wealth fund generate billions. Lets not forget state support which the US doesn't have - for example if you register as a catholic in Germany 8-9% of your income tax goes to the church directly - to the tune of about 6 billion per year altogether.

How much real estate does the Catholic Church own in the US, and how much appreciation has that seen since 2020?

It's possible. My take is that a Pope who's relatably "like them" will be more effective at reminding U.S. Catholics that they may need to choose between their faith and Trumpist idolatry.

> You're probably talking about Peter's Pence collection contribution which is just pocket change (a few millions).

Pocket change for sure (13.6 million/28.1%, says https://zenit.org/2024/06/30/the-ten-countries-that-made-the...), but there's also U.S. congregational giving of ~$20 billion, and the U.S. is the source of most large Catholic hospital, university, and foundation endowments.

you're wrong. This election was made EXACTLY because the Church feels there's a need to counterbalance the influence of the current american president with a strong local voice american catholics will pay attention to. They did the same when the Soviet Union was a thing by electing Carol Wojtyla (John Paul II)

> My take is that a Pope who's relatably "like them" will be more effective at reminding U.S. Catholics that they may need to choose between their faith and Trumpist idolatry.

I mean... they clearly already have. If Trump supporting Catholics haven't changed their mind by now I don't think an American Pope is going to convince them. And unless we're assuming a third Trump term I don't see what the point would be. The damage has been done.