VATICAN CITY, May 8, 2025 — Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old Chicago-born missionary, was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, becoming the first American pontiff in its 2,000-year history. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to address a cheering crowd of thousands, signaling continuity with his predecessor, Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025. The conclave, held in the Sistine Chapel, concluded on its second day when white smoke billowed from the chapel’s chimney, indicating a two-thirds majority had been reached among the 133 cardinal electors.
The election followed a solemn process that began on May 7, after nine days of mourning for Pope Francis, known for his progressive reforms and outreach to marginalized communities. Prevost, who holds dual U.S. and Peruvian citizenship, was considered an unexpected choice, as American cardinals have historically been overlooked due to the United States’ global influence. His selection required 89 votes, achieved on the fourth ballot, marking a historic moment for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
“Peace be with you,” Pope Leo XIV said in Italian, addressing the faithful in St. Peter’s Square. “This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarmed peace and a disarming, humble and persevering peace. It comes from God, God who loves us all unconditionally. We still keep in our ears that weak, but always courageous voice of Pope Francis blessing Rome. The Pope who blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the entire world, that morning of Easter Day. Allow me to follow up on that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail.”
Prevost’s election came after a conclave marked by intense deliberation. On May 7, black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, signaling an inconclusive first vote. Two additional rounds on the morning of May 8 also produced black smoke, indicating no candidate had secured the necessary supermajority. By the afternoon, the cardinals reached a consensus, and white smoke appeared, prompting bells to ring across Vatican City and drawing crowds to St. Peter’s Square.
Born in Chicago, Prevost spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru, where he served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2014 until 2023, when Pope Francis appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican office responsible for selecting bishops globally. His extensive experience in Latin America, fluency in Spanish, and dual citizenship shaped his global perspective, making him a candidate who bridged North and South America. In his first remarks, he spoke in Spanish to his “beloved diocese of Chiclayo in Peru,” acknowledging the faith of its people.
The conclave, governed by rules set in Pope John Paul II’s 1996 apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, involved 133 of the 135 eligible cardinal electors, all under 80 years old. Two cardinals, Antonio Cañizares Llovera of Spain and John Njue of Kenya, were absent due to health issues, and Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu was disqualified following a financial scandal. The process began with a Mass for the election of a pope, followed by the cardinals’ procession into the Sistine Chapel, where they swore an oath of secrecy. Voting occurred in strict isolation, with ballots burned after each round to produce the symbolic smoke.
Media speculation before the conclave highlighted several frontrunners, including Cardinals Pietro Parolin of Italy, Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem. Prevost was noted as a “dark horse” candidate, with some outlets, like the New York Times, mentioning him but discounting his chances due to the historical reluctance to elect an American. His election defied expectations, reflecting the influence of Pope Francis’s appointments, as 80% of the electors were named by him, many sharing his vision of a more inclusive Church.
In the United States, the election was met with pride and celebration. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement: “In communion with Catholics around the world, the bishops of the United States offer prayers of thanksgiving for the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. In my lifetime, the Church has been blessed with a series of popes each uniquely prepared for his particular moment in history yet sharing a common mission to proclaim the ageless truth of the Gospel. I rejoice in the international experience of the new Bishop of Rome who has been a student and superior in Rome, a bishop in Peru, and charged with the Dicastery for Bishops.”
Chicago, Prevost’s hometown, erupted in joy. At Holy Name Cathedral, bells tolled as Catholics gathered to celebrate.
Globally, reactions varied. In Chiclayo, Peru, where Prevost is known as the “Santo del Norte” for his work with the poor, thousands took to the streets, and church bells rang. Edinson Edgardo Farfán Córdova, the bishop of Chiclayo, called him “our brother,” highlighting his decades of service.
However, the election was not without controversy. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) expressed “grave concern,” renewing accusations that Prevost failed to address suspected clerical abuse in Chicago and Peru. Before the conclave, SNAP urged the incoming pope to prioritize justice for abuse victims, a challenge Leo XIV will face as he navigates the Church’s ongoing crisis.
Politically, U.S. leaders responded swiftly. President Donald Trump told reporters, “They’ve already called. They have already spoken to us, and we’ll see what happens,” hinting at a potential meeting. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, posted on social media: “Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election! I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wrote, “Everything dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!”
Prevost’s background as an Augustinian priest and leader of the order’s Chicago province shaped his pastoral approach. His work in Peru included delivering food and blankets to remote Andean villages, earning him a reputation for humility. His 2023 statement against “clericalizing women” as a solution to Church issues sparked debate, aligning him with Francis’s cautious stance on women’s ordination while emphasizing service over structural change.
The choice of the name Leo XIV invokes a legacy of reform and conciliation. The last Pope Leo, Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903, was admired for his focus on education and diplomacy. Prevost’s early remarks suggest he will continue Francis’s priorities, including environmental preservation, support for the poor, and dialogue with the modern world. Rev. Art Purcaro, a friend from Villanova University, told reporters, “Leo XIV will continue to encourage all of us to be aware of and to do what we can to make this a better world for everybody, which means caring for the things that we have and have been given to us to share.”
The conclave’s outcome reflects the globalized College of Cardinals, with over 140 non-European cardinals appointed by Francis. The election of an American with deep ties to Latin America underscores this shift, challenging the Eurocentric tradition of the papacy. As Pope Leo XIV, Prevost faces a Church divided on issues like abuse, women’s roles, and inclusivity, amid global conflicts and political polarization.
On May 9, Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass with the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, broadcast live by Vatican News. His formal inauguration and possession of the Patriarchal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran are expected soon, marking the start of his pontificate. As the first American pope, he carries the hopes of millions while navigating a complex legacy and an uncertain future.
