Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV in a historic conclave
Vatican City, May 8, 2025
History was made today as the College of Cardinals elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American prelate from Chicago, as the 268th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first pope from the United States and a symbol of the Church’s evolving global identity.
Cheers erupted in St. Peter’s Square as white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 6:47 p.m. local time, signaling the successful conclusion of the conclave. Just minutes later, the senior cardinal deacon appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with the announcement: “Habemus Papam!”
Moments later, Pope Leo XIV stepped forward, dressed in white, and offered his first apostolic blessing to the world, beginning with a message in Italian, then briefly addressing the crowd in English:
“Dear brothers and sisters, may the peace of Christ be with you. I come to you with humility and a heart open to the will of God and the needs of His people.”
Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955, Robert Francis Prevost is a former missionary and Augustinian priest who rose through the ranks of the Church as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome. His deep pastoral experience and reputation for building bridges across cultures were seen as key factors in his election.
The name Leo XIV appears to signal continuity with the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, remembered for championing social justice and workers’ rights during the industrial age. Vatican observers suggest that Pope Leo XIV may chart a similarly reform-minded course, addressing issues such as migration, climate change, ecclesial transparency, and lay participation in Church governance.
Across the United States, Catholics reacted with a mix of joy and awe at the election of one of their own. Cathedrals from Boston to Los Angeles held impromptu vigils and prayer services. At Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, where Prevost was ordained a priest in 1982, bells rang and parishioners gathered to celebrate.
President Maria Thompson praised the new pontiff, saying in a statement:
“Pope Leo XIV embodies the compassion, intellect, and spiritual leadership needed in our world today. His election is a moment of great pride for our nation and profound hope for people of faith around the world.”
The path ahead for Pope Leo XIV will not be without challenge, as the Church continues to navigate secularization, internal reforms, and calls for greater inclusion. But today, there is palpable hope — not just in Rome or America, but around the world — that a new chapter of faith, unity, and renewal is beginning.
