The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican [Photo Credit: Stefano Ciotti 2024
ROME – For the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, an American has been elected pope. On Thursday, Cardinal Robert Prevost was chosen as the 267th pope, adopting the name Pope Leo XIV. Speaking from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after his election, Pope Leo XIV called for peace and honored the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Born in Chicago, Prevost, now 69, has extensive international experience, having spent much of his career as a missionary and later as a bishop in Peru. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University in Philadelphia in 1977 and later received a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1982. Prior to his election, Prevost headed a significant Vatican department responsible for bishop appointments.
Prevost is expected to continue and expand upon the reforms initiated by Pope Francis. Generally perceived as centrist, he holds progressive views on certain key social issues, particularly regarding outreach to marginalized communities. Similar to Pope Francis, Prevost has demonstrated consistent support for migrants and economically disadvantaged groups.
However, like his predecessor, Prevost remains conservative on some doctrinal matters, notably opposing the ordination of women as deacons. As of now, there is limited information available about Prevost’s past interactions with Pagan communities or his broader interfaith engagement.
Following the announcement of Prevost’s election, Pagan groups began responding.
The Covenant of the Goddess extends its congratulations to Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election as Bishop of Rome under his chosen new name, Pope Leo XIV. We express our sincere hope that his papacy will foster an era of deepened interfaith collaboration, nurturing peace, safety, and mutual respect for all people, regardless of their identity, location, or spiritual path.
The Aquarian Tabernacle Church sends our well-wishes to Pope Leo XIV. May you stay strong in your convictions to help marginalized communities and follow the example of Jesus to care for the sick and the poor. Congratulations on your achievements and new position as Pope!
Other public sentiments on the Pope’s election were shared by members of our community on social media.
Well-known, Author and Witch, Jason Mankey wrote “An American Pope. Never thought I’d see that. Also, he’s one of Francis’s guys, he’s certainly not liberal by any means, but he’s also not a conservative. Best of luck Pope Leo 14.”
Andras Corban-Arthen, Spiritual Director at The EarthSpirit Community and former vice-chair of the Parliament of EWrold Religions, as well as former president and interfaith liaison at European Congress of Ethnic Religions, shared “Well, that’s interesting — the College of Cardinals has now elected two American Popes in a row: first, Francis, from Argentina, and now Leo, the first Pope from the U.S.”
Druid Ellen Evert Hopman wrote “A Progressive, Liberal Pope. Feeling relieved! ”
Byron Ballard shared “New pope. From Chicago. Leo XIV. And so it goes.”
John Beckett wrote
If I agreed with everything – or even most things – the new Pope has said and done, I’d be a Catholic. I don’t and I’m not. I’m a Pagan.
At the same time, the Roman Catholic Church is the largest religious organization in the world, with over 1.4 billion members. What the Pope says and does impacts all of us.
Further, an organization like the Catholic Church changes very slowly. They were never going to elect a truly progressive Pope. But Leo will be more like Francis and less like Benedict, and that’s a good thing.
And they didn’t elect Erdo or Sarah, which would have moved things in the wrong direction.
A refusal to accept incremental progress is one of the reasons the American Left (by which I mean everyone left of center, not just Leftists) – and the country as a whole – is in the dire straits we’re in.
So I’m going to wish Pope Leo well, and then I’m going back to being the best Pagan, Druid, and witch I can be.
Gwendolyn Holden Barry wrote, “Isn’t it nice to think America has done something awfully good today?”
Mound plundered in Sweden
According to SVT, more than 50 unauthorized excavation pits were discovered on Tuesday at Anundshög, one of Sweden’s most significant Viking Age archaeological sites near Västerås. The site, known for its ancient burial mounds and ship settings, suffered extensive damage in what experts describe as a devastating act of cultural vandalism.
“It is impossible to convey the shock and sadness of seeing something that has endured for thousands of years so quickly and recklessly destroyed,” said Nina Eklöf, director of Västerås museums, in an interview with SVT Nyheter Västmanland.
The looting, which targeted parts of the site including two large ship graves, has been reported to the County Administrative Board. Initial inspections have already taken place, and a police report is expected to be filed on Wednesday. Archaeologists from Västerås museums conducted preliminary documentation of the damage on Monday and Tuesday, assessing the extent of the destruction.
According to Eklöf, the damage includes pits dug into a probable cremation area, disturbing the remains of ancient burials. “It is extremely rare to see looting on this scale at a site of this significance,” she noted, emphasizing the unique historical value of Anundshög, which includes five large ship burials, two of which were specifically targeted.
Violations of Sweden’s Cultural Environment Act, which protects ancient monuments, are considered serious offenses. Individuals found guilty of excavating, damaging, or removing artifacts without proper authorization can face fines or imprisonment of up to four years. In severe cases, the penalties can be even more substantial.
The police have confirmed that officers have been to the site and are actively investigating the theft, including door-to-door inquiries in the surrounding area to gather more information.
Sweden’s Minister of Culture, Parisa Liljestrand, condemned the act in a strongly worded social media post, calling the incident a “purely indecent vandalism of our common cultural heritage,” adding that she is “holy pissed off” by the attack on the nation’s history.
News from The Wild Hunt
In response to recent events, concerns, and requests from our readers, The Wild Hunt has updated our main page to better serve the community. If you witness or become aware of violence or threats against Pagans, you can now report these concerns directly through a dedicated section on our site. Our team will investigate and provide reporting as appropriate.
Additionally, we’re expanding our coverage of community gatherings through Pagan Community Notes. We are also developing a comprehensive event calendar to help you more easily discover opportunities to connect with others in our community.
Race Against Hate 2025
Thor Fights Jormungand 1930 Charles E Brock [Public Domain
For the sixth year, Thor’s Oak Kindred has a team walking in the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate. We invite you to join us or donate to this worthy cause.
Thor’s Oak Kindred is a diverse organization dedicated to the practice of the Ásatrú religion in Chicago. We come together to honor the Norse gods and goddesses, the spirits of the land, and the departed people who inspire us. Since 2016, we have been building and nurturing a face-to-face community of practitioners in Chicago and the greater midwestern region for ritual celebration, group events, and mutual support.
Our members are kindred by choice and have chosen to embrace each other as family. We are proud of our diversity, and we stand against all discrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender, orientation, identity, origin, ancestry, age, or ability.
With the poison of white nationalism spreading worldwide and using Ásatrú as a propaganda vehicle, it is no longer enough to issue declarations and denunciations. We must join with other people of positive intent, push back on resurgent hate, and promote productive change.
On June 15 in Evanston, the YWCA hosts the 26th annual event in memory of Ricky Byrdsong, the Northwestern basketball coach murdered by a white supremacist in 1999 while walking in his neighborhood with his young children. On the same day, the shooter wounded six Orthodox Jews. Over the subsequent weekend, he killed a Korean-American graduate student and wounded an African-American minister before taking his own life.
All proceeds are used to further the YWCA’s mission in the areas of racial justice and violence prevention. Their programs assist children in schools and youth organizations to challenge their own prejudices and foster healthy, violence-free relationships among their peers; support teenagers in examining their own relationships and practicing constructive ways to handle conflict and differences; and encourage adults to engage in constructive dialogue, interactive activities, and meaningful action as related to racial justice.
Help make a real difference in the real world. Register today and join us on the walk. If you don’t live in the area, you can donate any amount small or large.
Sign up to join our walking team or donate at this link.
To learn more about Thor’s Oak Kindred, visit their website.
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Let us know at pcn@wildhunt.org
Tarot of the Week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: The Herbcrafter’s Tarot artwork by Joanna Powell Colbert, written by Latisha Guthrie, and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Card: Major Arcana, XVIII (18), The Moon – Datura
The next seven days have the potential to trigger emotions of anxiety, uncertainty, and even fear when confronted with being in unfamiliar or difficult to discern situations. Be mindful that any situation may initially be perceived in such a way that is contrary to its true nature—much as the landscape can appear wildly different in moonlight vs in sunlight. Caution in jumping to conclusions is advised, and the intuition is apt to play a key role if time is taken to listen.
Conversely, trusting the intuition and facing down fears are liable to allow for working through them and even setting them aside altogether. This week may also offer up vivid dreams which can be a vehicle for the subconscious in order to help with processing issues that have been buried deeply within the psyche. Overall, opportunities for recognizing and addressing past issues and even trauma are likely to be abundant.
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