In a historic moment for the Roman Catholic Church, American-born Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new pope and will be known henceforth as Pope Leo XIV. This makes him the first pope from the United States and the first to take the name Leo in over a century
The announcement came swiftly after white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday evening, signaling to the world that the conclave of cardinals had reached a decision. Vatican officials revealed that it took just four rounds of votingโcompleted within a single dayโunderscoring what Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi called โa clear sign of the unity of the Church.โ
Moments later, cardinals stepped onto the central balcony of St. Peterโs Basilica to declare, โHabemus Papam!โ before announcing Prevostโs papal name: Pope Leo.
St. Peterโs Square erupted in celebration as more than 40,000 pilgrims and tourists, according to police estimates, cheered and waved flags under the glow of Vatican lights. The speed of the conclave, faster than even that of Pope Francis in 2013, has added to the sense of renewed energy and cohesion among the cardinals.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly head of the Dicastery for Bishops, brings a reputation for humility, administrative reform, and pastoral care. Born in Chicago, he is known for his measured tone and strong sense of justiceโqualities observers believe will serve him well as he shepherds the global Church through an era marked by social shifts, clerical accountability, and expanding influence in the Global South.
The name Leo evokes a lineage of strong papal figures, including Pope Leo I, known for defending the faith during the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, and Pope Leo XIII, a champion of workersโ rights and Catholic social teaching.
