Vatican City: In a historic and unexpected outcome, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, assuming the name Pope Leo XIV and becoming the first-ever pope from the United States.
Cheers erupted in St. Peter’s Square as white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new pope by the 133 cardinal electors. Moments later, Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the crowd of faithful.
“Peace be with you all,” the newly elected pontiff declared in fluent Italian. He also addressed the audience in Spanish, though he refrained from speaking in English during his first public remarks.
Aged 69 and originally from Chicago, Prevost spent the majority of his ecclesiastical career as a missionary in Peru. His elevation to the rank of cardinal came only in 2023, marking a rapid ascent within the Church hierarchy. Known for his humility and low public profile, he has rarely spoken to the media.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump extended immediate congratulations, posting, “What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
Prevost succeeds the late Pope Francis, who passed away last month after a 12-year papacy. Francis, the first Latin American pope, was widely known for his reformist approach and his push to modernize the Church.
In his inaugural address, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to his predecessor, echoing Francis’ call for a compassionate and engaged Church that embraces those in need. He emphasized the Church’s mission to remain committed to peace, charity, and proximity to the suffering.
While many cardinals ahead of the conclave had debated the future direction of the Church—some favoring continuity with Francis’s inclusive vision, others seeking a return to traditional doctrines—Prevost’s election suggests a careful balancing act. He wore a traditional red papal mozzetta over his white cassock, in contrast to Francis’s simpler approach to papal attire.
Pope Leo XIV takes a name last used by Pope Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903 and is remembered for his pioneering work on social justice and labor rights—principles that deeply influenced Catholic social teaching.
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Prevost has similarly been recognized by peers for his quiet leadership and firm commitment to social justice. As bishop of Chiclayo in northwestern Peru from 2015 to 2023, he built a reputation for grassroots pastoral care. In 2023, Pope Francis brought him to Rome to lead the powerful Vatican office responsible for overseeing the global appointment of Catholic bishops.
Speaking at a Vatican press conference that year, Prevost stated: “Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church.”
His election as Pope Leo XIV marks a new chapter for the global Catholic community—one rooted in a blend of reform, tradition, and a distinctly international outlook.
