VATICAN CITY, In a historic moment for the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected the 267th pope, marking the first time an American has ascended to the papacy. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, the 69-year-old prelate from Chicago was announced to the world on May 8, 2025, from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
White smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 6:08 p.m. local time, signaling the conclusion of the conclave. The announcement of “Habemus Papam” followed shortly after, delivered by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti, as thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square erupted in applause.
“Peace be with all of you,” Pope Leo XIV declared in his first address, emphasizing a papacy focused on unity, social justice, and global healing.
FROM CHICAGO TO THE VATICAN
Born in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine. He spent more than 20 years in Peru as a missionary and later served as bishop, eventually gaining dual U.S.-Peruvian citizenship. His blend of American upbringing and deep Latin American ministry has shaped a pastoral identity grounded in cross-cultural compassion and doctrinal clarity.
Prior to the conclave, Cardinal Prevost was serving as Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, a high-ranking Vatican position that placed him in close counsel with Pope Francis and the global hierarchy.
A TURNING POINT FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, whose resignation due to declining health led to the convocation of the 133-member College of Cardinals. The two-day conclave was marked by calls for a leader who could bridge deep divides in a Church grappling with global conflict, sexual abuse scandals, and waning membership in parts of the West.
Observers note that the election of an American pope signals a geopolitical shift, reflecting the growing influence of the Catholic Church in the Americas and the Vatican’s desire for a globally resonant voice.
WORLD LEADERS RESPOND
World leaders quickly issued statements of support. U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the election as “an incredible honor for America and a new chapter for the world’s largest religious institution.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Leo XIV’s “inclusive vision and strong record in missionary service,” while French President Emmanuel Macron called him “a bridge between continents.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR LEO XIV
Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue many of the reform initiatives begun under his predecessor, particularly in the areas of church governance, sexual abuse accountability, and ecological stewardship. However, he is also anticipated to bring a more direct pastoral style and emphasize grassroots ministry across the Global South.
As the bells of St. Peter’s continue to ring, the Church’s 1.3 billion followers look toward Pope Leo XIV with hope and curiosity about the direction he will chart in an era marked by rapid change and global uncertainty.
A new papacy begins. And with it, a new chapter for the Church.
