History Made: American Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected Pope Leo XIV
In a historic and deeply symbolic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the 267th pope, taking the papal name Pope Leo XIV. The announcement marks a groundbreaking chapter, as Prevost becomes the first American in history to ascend to the papacy.
Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old cardinal emerged as the Church’s new spiritual leader following a swift and decisive conclave that concluded on just the second day of deliberations. Over 130 cardinals gathered in Vatican City to cast their votes, seeking a successor to the beloved Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88.
Prevost’s election marks the first change in papal leadership since 2013, when Pope Francis himself was chosen to follow Pope Benedict XVI after his unprecedented resignation.
A Sacred Tradition in Motion
The conclave began on May 7, as cardinals were sequestered within the Sistine Chapel—surrounded by Michelangelo’s frescoes and centuries of Church tradition. The voting process followed a time-honored ritual: two rounds of balloting in the morning and two in the afternoon. Each day, the faithful watched the Sistine Chapel chimney for a sign—black smoke for indecision, white smoke for a new pope.
By the second day, white smoke rose, and the world knew: a new chapter was beginning.
A New Era for the Church
The elevation of an American pope signals a powerful shift in the global reach and identity of the Catholic Church. Known for his deep theological insight and focus on pastoral care, Pope Leo XIV is expected to blend tradition with a modern understanding of the Church’s role in a rapidly changing world.
As bells rang across Rome and the name Leo XIV echoed through St. Peter’s Square, millions of Catholics around the globe looked on with hope, prayer, and anticipation.
