{"book":{"book":"American Pope: Leo XIV’s Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City","author":"Scott Detrow and Daniel Burke","publicationYear":"","description":"American Pope: Leo XIV’s Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City chronicles the life and rise of Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church in its 2,000-year history. The biography is the result of extensive reporting conducted across Peru, Chicago, and Rome. It constructs a detailed portrait of the pontiff's life through firsthand accounts from friends, confidants, and family members. The book also incorporates perspectives from his former classmates, fellow clergy, and seasoned Vatican insiders. Together, these stories detail his early upbringing on the South Side of Chicago and his journey to the papacy.","image":"https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2160x2160+0+0/resize/3000/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F26%2F1da9572e434c9f265b6bb0dea9f5%2F269d2fd0-3e65-446b-9b98-bdba48d3bfbf.jpg","date":"2026-10-29"}}