Cardinal Robert Prevost elected New Pope – Leo XIV

White smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel earlier today, and moments ago, the Vatican officially announced the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

Prevost, 69, a native of Chicago, Illinois, becomes the first American-born Pope in history—an unprecedented milestone for the global Church. The announcement was met with thunderous applause and emotional scenes in St. Peter’s Square, as thousands of pilgrims and spectators witnessed his first appearance on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. The conclave of 133 Cardinal electors reached a decision after several days of prayerful deliberation behind closed doors.

Prior to his election, Cardinal Prevost served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a role in which he was responsible for overseeing the appointment of bishops around the world. A member of the Order of St. Augustine, he also spent over a decade as a missionary in Peru, where he earned a reputation for humility, spiritual depth, and a deep commitment to justice and pastoral care.