Cardinal Prevost Becomes First U.S. Pope: Leo XIV Elected

• The elections began with 133 cardinal electors casting their votes.
• This marks the first time an American has been selected as pope.
• The new pope is expected to deliver his inaugural public message soon.

VATICAN CITY: In an unexpected turn of events, Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church, adopting the papal name Leo XIV. This historic choice makes him the first pontiff from the United States.

Shortly after the white smoke signaled a decision from the Sistine Chapel, marking the selection of a new leader for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Leo XIV made his appearance on the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

“Peace be with you all,” the newly elected pope greeted the enthusiastic crowd below.

The announcement of Prevost’s election was made in St. Peter’s Square, where tens of thousands gathered. French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti declared, “Habemus Papam” (We have a pope).

At 69 years old and originally from Chicago, Prevost has dedicated most of his life to missionary work in Peru. He became a cardinal in 2023 and has rarely engaged in public speaking, giving only a few interviews.

Pope Leo XIV is the 267th pope, taking office after the passing of Pope Francis last month. Francis, the first pope from Latin America, served for 12 years, striving to modernize the Church.

During his tenure, Francis implemented various reforms and welcomed discussions on contentious topics, including the ordination of women and greater inclusion of LGBT Catholics.

As the conclave approached, there was a division among cardinals regarding the future of the Church. Some advocated for continuity with Francis’ visionary approach, while others sought to revert to more traditional practices.

Prevost, who has gained attention for his calm demeanor and support of Francis’ agenda, has made a significant impact as the former bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2015 until 2023.

Having led the Vatican office responsible for appointing bishops globally, Prevost has played a critical role in the selection process of many bishops during his time in Rome.

In a statement at a 2023 Vatican press conference, he emphasized, “Our task is to broaden the tent and ensure everyone feels welcomed in the Church.”

Pope Francis passed away on April 21 after dedicating a dozen years to leading the Church and seeking to make it more relevant in a changing world.

While there were no clear frontrunners for his successor, names such as Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines were prominent in discussions, alongside other notable candidates.