Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a native of Chicago, has been elected as the 267th pope, making history as the first American to ascend to the papacy. He was chosen by 133 cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel during the second day of the conclave. Upon his election, he adopted the name Leo XIV.
Addressing the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV offered his first words: “Peace be with you all.” In his initial remarks, the 69-year-old pontiff emphasized the importance of unity and peace, noting that the voice of his predecessor, Pope Francis, continued to resonate globally even in his final days.
Pope Leo XIV has spent much of his clerical life as a missionary in Peru and was appointed cardinal in 2023. He is widely regarded as a progressive figure who is likely to continue the reform-oriented path laid out by Pope Francis. That same year, he was brought to Rome by Francis to oversee a key Vatican department responsible for selecting bishops — a critical role within Church governance.
The elevation of an American to the papacy is unprecedented, and public familiarity with the concept in Italy has until now been largely fictional, limited to portrayals such as the American pope character in The Young Pope television series.
Leo XIV’s predecessor, Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio), significantly reshaped the College of Cardinals during his 12-year tenure. Roughly 80% of the cardinals who participated in the conclave were appointed by him. These new members of the College are notably younger and more diverse, reflecting an evolving global Church.
While Pope Leo XIV is expected to carry forward much of Francis’ legacy, reports have pointed to a more conservative tone in his earlier views. According to The New York Times, in a 2012 address, Prevost criticized what he saw as cultural shifts in the West, including acceptance of same-sex relationships and non-traditional family structures — positions viewed as more conservative than those espoused by Francis in recent years.
White smoke signaled his election at approximately 6:15 p.m. local time in Rome, following the supermajority vote required by Church protocol. Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, was the first Latin American pope and had sought to modernize and broaden the inclusivity of the Catholic Church during his time in office.
Source: The New York Times
