Chicago’s South Side was solidly working class during Pope Leo’s childhood, said Rob Paral, a researcher at the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago. The family attended a South Side church, but they lived in Dolton, a suburb just past the city line.

In a place where civic pride is a way of life, Chicagoans need little help believing the election of Pope Leo shows their city is among God’s favorites.

After white smoke billowed Thursday from the Sistine Chapel, signaling that a pope had been chosen, students in every classroom at The Frances Xavier Warde School in Chicago had their eyes glued to TV screens.

Pope Leo XIV is the first North American pontiff appointed to lead the Catholic Church. As a native Chicagoan, he's been confirmed a White Sox fan by his brother in interviews after he was elected Pope. But where does Pope Leo XIV stand on the major issues, like homosexuality and women's role in the Church?

By Joshua McElwee, Crispian Balmer and Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Black smoke billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling that the cardinals locked in a conclave have not yet chosen a new pope to guide the Roman Catholic Church.