Joe Donnelly, Former US Ambassador to the Holy See, Speaks with MSNBC, CNN, Today Show, CBS, The New York Times, ABC, FOX on Pope Francis’ Legacy and Pope Leo XIV

Akin lobbying & public policy senior consultant Joe Donnelly, former U.S. Congressman and Senator from Indiana and former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, spoke with media organizations including MSNBC, CNN, Today Show, CBS, The New York Times, ABC, FOX, POLITCO and others about Pope Francis’ Legacy and Pope Leo XIV.  

Following the death of Pope Francis, Ambassador Joe Donnelly shared reflections with MSNBC about his time working with the so-called pope of the people. As the United States' representative to the Holy See, the Ambassador recalled a series of meaningful discussions with Pope Francis as they worked together to extend the benefits of a strong economy and of a successful nation to all people around the world.  

“The people of the world loved him in every corner, in every place...people of every faith loved him, and if you talk about a goodwill ambassador for the Catholic Church, it's hard to imagine anybody who's ever been better," Donnelly told POLITICO. 

Donnelly also appeared on The Today Show to discuss the start of the papal conclave saying that the next pontiff, “won't be an exact replica of Francis but they will be in the neighborhood.” 

After a two-day conclave and the election of the first pope from the U.S., Donnelly told The New York Times that Pope Leo XIV would be a “wonderful reflection of America, of Chicago and all of our hardworking people.”  

“He is a prototype of the American success story, working hard, studying hard and being kind to others.”