Vatican City, May 8, 2025: In a historic and unexpected decision, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States was elected on Thursday as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. He is the first American to ascend to the papacy and the 267th pope in the Church’s two-millennia history.
White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney shortly before Pope Leo appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, approximately 70 minutes later, greeting tens of thousands gathered in the square with the words, “Peace be with you all.”
The announcement was made in traditional Latin by French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti: “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”), signaling the end of the conclave and the beginning of a new papal era.
Born in Chicago and aged 69, Pope Leo XIV is known for his humility, missionary work, and alignment with the reformist agenda of his predecessor, Pope Francis. He spent much of his clerical career in Peru, serving as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 until 2023, when Francis brought him to the Vatican to lead the Dicastery for Bishops — the office responsible for selecting bishops around the world.
Prevost was elevated to cardinal in 2023, and though he had maintained a low public profile, he gained respect among his peers for his quiet leadership and strong commitment to social justice. During a Vatican press conference that year, he said, “Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church.”
Pope Leo succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 after a transformative 12-year papacy that emphasized mercy, inclusion, and engagement with modern society. Francis was the first Latin American pope and opened the door to debate on contentious issues such as the role of women in the Church and the inclusion of LGBTQ Catholics.
The conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV reflected ongoing divisions within the College of Cardinals. While some electors favored continuing Francis’ progressive path, others called for a return to more traditional doctrine. In the lead-up to the vote, speculation had centered around several high-profile candidates, including Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. Prevost’s election came as a surprise to many observers.
Pope Leo XIV now faces the challenge of uniting a global Church of 1.4 billion members at a time of growing polarization, demographic shifts, and calls for deeper reform.
