History was made as Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, becoming the first American to hold the papacy.
Cardinal Robert Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
The announcement followed the familiar yet momentous spectacle in St. Peter’s Square: white smoke blowing from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the tolling of the great bells of St. Peter’s Basilica, signaling that a new pope had been chosen.
The decision came on the second day of the secret conclave, where 133 voting cardinals, sequestered within the Vatican, cast ballots to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
To be elected, a candidate needed to secure at least two-thirds of the votes — 89 in total.
Once the consensus was reached, jubilant scenes unfolded in the square. Thousands of faithful gathered, cheering, waving flags, and shouting “Viva il Papa!” Priests blessed the crowds while nuns wept in emotion.
As tradition dictates, the new pope’s identity was revealed from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with the Latin proclamation, “Habemus Papam!” — “We have a pope!”
The cardinal announcing the news then introduced Prevost and the papal name he chose: Leo XIV.
Shortly afterward, Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the balcony to deliver his first blessing as pontiff, offering words of unity and hope to the Catholic faithful around the world.
His election marks a significant milestone in the Church’s 2,000-year history, breaking centuries of European dominance in the papacy and reflecting the evolving global face of Catholicism.
Born on September 14, 1955, to a father of French and Italian descent and a mother of Spanish descent, Leo XIV spent many years as a missionary in Peru and served two terms as the head of the Augustinian order. His extensive background includes studies in mathematics and philosophy, as well as a doctorate in Canon Law. He was ordained a priest in Rome in 1982.
Prior to his election as Pope, Leo XIV served as the Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru and, most recently, as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, a role that elevated him to Archbishop. He was created a Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024.
69, pope Leo XIV was the “least American” of the American cardinals: Prevost was born in Chicago. But inside the Vatican, where he eventually lived and worked, he was considered the “least American” of the US cardinals.
He was well regarded by Pope Francis: The late pontiff “respected him and thought of him very highly,” according to CNN’s Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb. “Clearly Pope Francis saw in him something – he saw him as a capable leader.”
He’s a member of the Augustinian order: Leo is a member of the Augustinian religious order, which is spread across the world. He led the order for more than a decade as its prior general.
He has strong leadership experience: Francis appointed Prevost to be the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, which is in charge of assessing bishop candidates and making recommendations for new appointments. He also served as the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
