New Pope. AP coverage. As a 69 year old, the aspect of a lengthy Papacy exists.
A second Pope with New World ties, American born, Peruvian background.
Vatican News says Pope Leo XIV is the first Augustinian pope.
May he serve wisely and honorably. Francis left a legacy. We shall see where the Roman Church moves next, under new top leadership.
It would be a masterful quick choice deserving much joy, if Leonard Leo chokes on the choice. May he do so. Not that Crabgrass holds any inside knowledge. Only that Crabgrass has an understanding who Leonard Leo is, and who the new Pope might be. A crass step would be to query JD about an Augustinian being chosen. Someone from the media can be expected to do so. May JD handle the question with grace, if or when it is asked. (Really wanting JD to do better with any inquiry than he did in his goodwill visit to Greenland.)
UPDATE: Along those lines, perhaps a media maven might ask Emmer whether he'd prefer the Vatican - again new ground - issuing a Francis Coin, vs a Leo Coin, since that would touch two bases of Emmer's political and personal persona.
FURTHER: Snarkyiness aside, JD was the last major political figure touching Francis' life, and very likely would give a fair answer if asked about the Vatican's moving on. And not being able to read Leonard Leo's mind, the man might actually treasure Francis bringing a hand to the Knights of Malta, with an expectation Leo (the new Pope, not Leonard) might follow intentions Francis displayed. I doubt it, but who knows? And for all I know, blockchain might have a place in the Vatican's longterm future. I cannot see where, but my powers of reason are limited and there's much push and reach blockchain folks have demonstrated. First family and all cashing in. The Hill reporting:
While crypto observers agree the long-term impacts of these moves are not yet clear, key players in the crypto industry see Trump’s early changes as wins in their own rights.
The persistent positivity remains even as Trump’s other policy moves, from the trade war to the launch of meme coins, create new frustrations for some in the crypto industry.
“The big picture here is tremendous, and we have a long-term perspective, we invest for the long term from our seat [and] it’s as good as it could possibly be,” said Nic Carter, a founding partner at crypto investment firm Castle Island Ventures.
Industry optimism remains high
After months of courting voters who own or support cryptocurrencies, Trump planted a flag for pro-crypto policies within days of his return to office.
The president signed an executive order during his first week to create a working group focused on digital assets led by David Sacks, the White House czar for artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency.
Trump tasked the group with proposing a federal regulatory framework for digital assets and helping oversee the strategic bitcoin reserve and digital assets stockpile, which the president established via executive order in March.
Trump also reversed former President Biden’s 2022 crypto directive, marking a clean break for the crypto industry under the new administration.
“It’s a total sea change in Washington, it couldn’t be more different from six months ago,” Carter said.
Carter said he keeps a list in his desk to track Trump’s fulfillment of crypto-related campaign promises.
In truth, unless/until seeing Catholic Crypto actually happen, I shall hold a higher regard for the office and the new top person, and expect restraint and sagacity to take and hold the day. Other places, less so, but the Roman Church has tradition.
FURTHER: Leo (the Federalist Society guy this time, not the new Pope) has yet to announce a "Federalist Coin," but it would not surprise me. And if a case contesting any blockchain entrepreneurship were to reach SCOTUS, a "Federalist Coin" could cement a decision. Or not? Guesses of the future are unsure, as any prospectus can tell you.
FURTHER: ABC is livestreaming coverage of Pope Leo, including this.
It is today's news, so follow the links today. Tomorrow, dead links happen. News moves onto its new things, and Leo XIV is news, today.
We expect lasting news if we hold our attention, but not necessary featured news. Media moves on. Media sells current events, yesterday was, today is, etc.
FURTHER: https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html
https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html
FURTHER: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/biography-of-robert-francis-prevost-pope-leo-xiv.html (HAT TIP for that link, Peterr posting at EmptyWheel.)
FURTHER: Presuming taking the Leo XIV Papal name as his was not by chance, but with a purpose, Wikipedia has posted of Leo XIII. A third set of shoes to fill besides those of Francis and the Apostle Peter. Leonard Leo - the more one learns - looks like a different brand of Leo - a throwback Leo to something dark.
Much else is online, which readers can discover on their own.Overall coverage suggests that we have another good one. A promising successorship to Francis.
Also, this. Let the Haters Hate. Things happen anyway, without Trump.
Closing, this thread is unkind to Trump, but his tweet, what else should it earn?
FURTHER: Have to say it -- In earlier commentary re Pope Leo/Leonard Leo, it is absolutely necessary to add a hope that Cathofascist Sam "Roe Killer" Alito (and spouse as a pair flying an upside down flag and all), have repeated severe raging apopleptic fits over the new Pope not being as upstanding a Cothofascist as they'd want and feel they deserve. Few have earned that level of scorn. They have. May our hopes for Leo XIV having a long and eventful reform-minded Papacy come true, for the good of the Roman Church and as an ongoing gall in the Alito throats. Not all fascists are equal, but Sam Alito and Leonard Leo are. Sicko folks. Ghouls. Sophist ass pains. And worse.