Robert Prevost Elected First American Pope, Takes Name Leo XIV

Vatican City: Cardinal Robert Prevost, a US -born member of the Augustinian order who served for many years as a missionary and bishop in Peru, has been elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He becomes the first pontiff from the United States in the Church’s 2,000-year history and will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
Prevost, 69, addressed the public for the first time from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, greeting the crowd with the words “Peace be with you.” He spoke in Italian and Spanish, emphasising peace, dialogue, and missionary outreach in his brief remarks.
Prevost was seen as a strong candidate prior to the conclave, although some observers believed his American background might present challenges, given the geopolitical influence of the United States. However, his dual citizenship with Peru and his long service there appeared to offset such concerns.
Background and Rise

Born in Chicago, Prevost spent decades in Peru, first as a missionary and later as a bishop. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him to lead the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, which oversees global episcopal appointments. In early 2025, he was elevated to the rank of cardinal, positioning him prominently ahead of the conclave.
The papal election concluded on the second day of voting. White smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney signaled that a new pope had been chosen, followed by the traditional announcement of “*Habemus Papam!*” naming Prevost as the new pontiff.
Name and Historical Context

Leo XIV is the first pope to take the name Leo since Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903 and is known for shaping Catholic social teaching, particularly through the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum.
Conclave Process

The conclave began Wednesday afternoon with the cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel and taking oaths of secrecy. Voting followed established Church procedures. Each cardinal wrote their choice for pope on a ballot and cast it after declaring their intent before God.
Votes were counted and verified by designated cardinals. After each round, ballots were sewn together and burned with chemicals to produce smoke — black if no decision had been reached, white once a pope was elected.
The election of Pope Leo XIV occurred within the first few rounds of voting, a time frame consistent with recent papal elections.
Public Response

Crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square throughout the process, including pilgrims, tourists, and members of the media. The election drew a range of responses. Some attendees expressed hope for continuity with Pope Francis’ priorities, while others had favoured different candidates with varying visions for the Church’s future.
With his election, Pope Leo XIV begins a new chapter of leadership, inheriting both global responsibilities and ongoing debates within the Catholic Church.