The Vatican has announced a historic milestone: the first-ever American leader of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Prevost, has been elected pope and will take the name Pope Leo XIV.
The 69-year-old Chicago-born cardinal, who spent many years as a missionary in Peru, has now ascended to the papacy, marking a significant moment in church history.
Cardinal Prevost was created a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023 and has held a prominent role as head of the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful position responsible for selecting new bishops worldwide.
Although he has kept a low profile on many church issues, some of his positions are known.
He is reportedly aligned with Pope Francis’s vision on environmental issues, outreach to the poor and migrants, and has expressed that “the bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom” (2024).
He also supported Pope Francis’s stance on allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion, though his support for priests blessing same-sex couples has been more modest.
Prior to the conclave, Cardinal Prevost was seen as a “compromise candidate,” appreciated for his balanced approach and his extensive time in Peru, which lends him a more universal appeal beyond American borders.
The world first learned of the new pope’s election around 6:08 pm local time (5:08 pm UK time), when white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling the conclave’s decision.
The cheers erupted in St. Peter’s Square as thousands gathered in anticipation of a historic moment.
Just over an hour later, the new pope was introduced on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, with an estimated 50,000 people witnessing the historic event.
The scene was one of joy and hope as Cardinal Prevost stepped forward, ready to lead the Catholic Church into a new chapter.
The scene captures a moment of unity and anticipation, marking the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy and a new era for the global Catholic community.
By Newsroom
8th May 2025
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