On Thursday, U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost was unexpectedly chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church, adopting the name Leo XIV and marking a historical moment as the first American pope.
Pope Leo made his appearance on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Cathedral roughly 70 minutes after the iconic white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signifying that 133 electors had made their decision for the leader of the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
The announcement of Prevost’s election came from Cardinal Dominique Manberti of France.
At 69 years old and originally from Chicago, Prevost dedicated a significant part of his career as a missionary in Peru before becoming a cardinal in 2023. He has generally avoided the media spotlight.
Leo XIV took on the role of the 267th Catholic Pope following the passing of Pope Francis last month. Francis, who was the first Latin American Pope, served for 12 years and was known for his efforts to connect the church with contemporary society.
During his papacy, Francis implemented a range of reforms and allowed discussions on contentious topics, including the ordination of women and improving the inclusion of LGBT Catholics.
Leading up to the Conclave, opinions among the Cardinals varied, with some favoring continuity with Francis’ vision of openness and reform, while others expressed a desire to revert to traditional practices.
