New Pope Elected: What To Know About Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, a Chicago-born church leader, has made history as the first American pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.

Quick Takes

Robert F. Prevost was elected as the 267th pope during a historic two-day conclave, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.
As the first American pope in history, Prevost brings a unique perspective after serving extensively in Peru and at the Vatican.
The conclave was the largest and most diverse in Church history, with 133 cardinal electors representing 71 countries.
Prevost is considered a centrist who intends to continue Pope Francis’s legacy of building bridges while facing challenges like clerical abuse scandals.
His selection of the name Leo honors Pope Leo XIII, known for his contributions to Catholic social justice teachings.

Historic White Smoke Signals First American Pope

White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney on May 8, 2025, signaling to the 45,000 faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square that the Catholic Church had elected its 267th pope. French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti appeared on the central balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica to deliver the traditional proclamation “Habemus papam” (“We have a pope”), announcing Cardinal Robert F. Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. The historic two-day conclave concluded with the bells of Saint Peter’s Basilica ringing out in celebration, marking a significant moment in Church history as Prevost became the first American to ascend to the papacy.

The conclave that elected Prevost was unprecedented in its size and diversity. With 133 eligible cardinal electors participating from 71 countries across six continents, it represented the most geographically diverse gathering of papal electors in Church history. The largest national voting blocs came from Italy (17), the United States (10), and Brazil (seven). Several countries, including Bangladesh, Cape Verde, and Central African Republic, were represented for the first time in a papal conclave, reflecting the increasingly global nature of Catholicism in the 21st century.

Who is the new pope? American Cardinal Robert Prevost becomes Pope Leo XIV https://t.co/rwD52S2Eee

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) May 9, 2025

From Chicago to the Vatican: Prevost’s Journey

Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955, Robert Prevost went through studies in Chicago and Rome before extensive missionary work in Peru, where he also holds citizenship. Ordained as a priest in 1982, Prevost served in Peru where he ran an Augustinian seminary in Trujillo. His leadership abilities led to his appointment as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in 2014, followed by his consecration as bishop in 2015. Pope Francis later appointed him to significant Vatican positions, including Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, where he oversaw the selection of new bishops worldwide.

Prevost’s selection of the papal name Leo XIV carries historical significance, honoring Pope Leo XIII who was known for his contributions to Catholic social justice. The name Leo has been the fifth-most-popular name among popes throughout history. The selection of a papal name is a tradition that experts say is meant to “indicate a certain spirit and direction and vision of the new pope.”

Challenges and Vision for the Catholic Church

Pope Leo XIV inherits leadership of a global Catholic population of 1.39 billion facing significant challenges. The Church continues to grapple with secularization in Western countries, ongoing clerical sex abuse scandals, and finding its voice amid global conflicts. Prevost, described as a centrist, reportedly maintains progressive views on social issues while holding conservative positions on church doctrine. He has indicated his intention to continue Pope Francis’s legacy of building bridges and maintaining a welcoming church, summarized in Francis’s repeated emphasis on including “everyone, everyone, everyone.”