Robert F. Prevost named new pope, takes the name Leo XIV in historic first for US

Prevost becomes the first American pontiff, marking a significant shift in the Church’s global leadership.

In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, American cardinal Robert F. Prevost has been elected as the new pope, taking the papal name Leo XIV. This marks the first time a pontiff hails from the United States, ushering in a new era of leadership for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. The announcement was made from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where Pope Leo XIV greeted a cheering crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square and millions watching worldwide.

Before appearing to the public, the newly elected pope is expected to choose a papal name, often seen as a symbolic indicator of the kind of leader he intends to be, and change into a white papal cassock prepared in several sizes for the occasion. He will also receive the Fisherman’s Ring, a traditional symbol of the papal office.

Robert F. Prevost, 69, has been elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the papal name Leo XIV. A native of Chicago, Prevost was chosen on the second day of the cardinal conclave in Vatican City.

His election was signaled by white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney at around 12:07 p.m. ET, a traditional symbol that a new pope has been selected. More than an hour later, the Vatican formally announced his name, following the precedent of recent conclaves where the reveal typically occurs 25 to 66 minutes after the smoke appears.

Prevost succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 22 at the age of 88. As the new spiritual leader of over 1 billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Leo XIV now begins a new chapter in Church history — and becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy.