In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the 267th pope—becoming the first American ever to hold the position. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday, signaling to the world that the College of Cardinals had successfully elected a new pope to succeed the late Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88.
Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV stepped out onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and addressed the crowd in Italian, saying, “Peace be upon you all.” His message echoed the greeting of the resurrected Christ, as he offered blessings to families across the globe.
Cheers of “Viva il Papa”—meaning “Long live the Pope”—erupted among the thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square as the new pontiff made his first public appearance.
The conclave, the sacred electoral process, began with a prayer service on Wednesday morning inside the basilica. It was presided over by 91-year-old Cardinal Dean Giovanni Battista Re.
The election of Pope Leo XIV marks a new chapter for the Vatican, with many expecting him to bring a blend of American pragmatism and pastoral compassion to the papacy.
LND/BG
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