New book explores origins of first 'American Pope,' co-founder; Chicano Park co-founder

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[upbeat music] On today's KPBS Midday Edition, we're having the conversations shaping San Diego. I'm Jade Hindmon, keeping you informed and inspired while making you think. [upbeat music] A new book explores the life of Pope Leo. Then artist and trailblazer Salvador Roberto Torres talks about his work bridging activism with art. Plus, Bataca Mondo talks with Dolph Lundgren. That's ahead on Midday Edition. [upbeat music] A new book traces the life journey of the first American pope from humble beginnings in working class Chicago to becoming leader of the Catholic Church as Pope Leo XIV. It's called American Pope: Leo XIV's Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City. I spoke with author Scott Detrow, host of NPR's All Things Considered, along with NPR's Daniel Burke, who was also NPR's senior editor of religion and spirituality last month. Here's that conversation. Scott, the genesis of this book goes back to May 8th, 2025. You were covering the papal conclave. Can you take us back to that time and, and what you remember when the famous smoke came out of the chimney? [laughs] Uh, and then-

Well, when the smoke came out-

[laughs]

... this book almost didn't happen because I was actually not where I was supposed to be. Uh, the smoke was kind of interestingly timed where we all thought we were clear. I said to Daniel and the other people there, "I've got some time to go get some water, right?" And everyone said, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sure."

Oh, gosh.

So I'm about on the other side of the square, and suddenly I hear the loudest cheer I've ever heard in my life. And like I've, I've got, I've gone, I've gone to some big sporting events, you know, and this was the loudest, deepest roar I've ever heard. And I just said, "Oh, no."

[laughs]

And then the producer I was, I was working with and I just ran as fast as we could, and we leapt over a fence to get back to the microphone in time and get on the air. But then, you know, this remarkable moment happened, and Daniel and I were looking at each other and we couldn't believe it. They announced that, that the pope is, is Robert Prevost from Chicago, and suddenly a, an American is pope. And, you know, as both people who, who grew up in the Catholic Church, who have covered in different ways, we just thought that would never happen. [laughs] And here suddenly we were covering it live on the radio, and it was the most exciting feeling I can remember as a reporter. And right after that we realized there's a broader story here because Robert Prevost had climbed the ranks of the church, but in a way where he wasn't a public figure. He wasn't a famous person. He's suddenly being viewed by billions of people around the world who are listening to his every word, but people didn't know his full backstory. And pretty quickly the two of us decided, well, we could tell it. And we started reporting, making phone calls, and looking through documents.

And that moment when you heard that roar, it must have been