In a historic development for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the 267th Pope, becoming the first American to ascend to the papacy.
The announcement came with the traditional white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the conclave, signaling his election and the beginning of a new papal era under the name Pope Leo XIV.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, and now 69 years old, Prevost brings a blend of global pastoral experience and deep Vatican insight. Before his election, he led the Dicastery for Bishops, the powerful Vatican office responsible for appointing bishops worldwide—a role central to the reform efforts of Pope Francis.
Pope Leo XIV also has strong ties to Latin America, having served as a missionary in Trujillo, Peru, and later as the Bishop of Chiclayo from 2014 to 2023. His dedication to evangelization and intercultural dialogue is expected to influence his leadership style and vision for a more inclusive and globally connected Church.
As he prepares to address the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV is widely seen as a symbol of continuity and progress, poised to lead the Church’s 1.4 billion members through modern-day challenges while safeguarding its spiritual foundations.
