In a historic development from Vatican City, the papal conclave has concluded with the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from the United States as the new Pope. He will assume the papal name Leo XIV, becoming the first American ever to be elected to the papacy.

The announcement came roughly 70 minutes after white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney—signaling to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square that a decision had been reached by the 133 cardinal electors. This moment marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church, which serves a global congregation of over 1.4 billion people.

Following long-standing tradition, French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti stepped forward to proclaim “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”), officially introducing the new pontiff. Moments later, Pope Leo XIV made his debut on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, greeting the faithful in his first public appearance as head of the Church.

Originally from Chicago and now 69 years old, Prevost has dedicated much of his ecclesiastical life to missionary work in Peru. Despite holding significant responsibilities within the Church, he has maintained a notably low public profile, rarely engaging with the media. His elevation to cardinal occurred only in 2023, making his swift rise to the papacy both unexpected and extraordinary.

Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away last month after a 12-year pontificate. Francis, the first Pope from Latin America, was widely recognized for his progressive approach and efforts to reform the Church. His leadership sparked significant discussions on major issues such as the role of women in the clergy and the inclusion of LGBTQ Catholics.