Cardinals Elect First American Pope, Robert Prevost After Two Days Conclave

By Barth Ikiebe With Agency Reports

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost addresses the crowd after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican.

Robert Francis Prevost has been elected the first Pope from the United States.

The Vatican announced that a moderate who was close to Pope Francis and spent years as a missionary in Peru, becomes the Catholic Church’s 267th pontiff, taking the papal name Leo XIV.

Robert Francis Prevost picked the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

Tens of thousands of people packed in St Peter’s Square cheered as Prevost appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, waving with both hands, smiling and bowing.

“Peace be with you,” he told the crowds.”

White smoke from the Sistine Chapel had billowed into the sky on the cardinals’ second day of voting to announce his election in a secret conclave, while the bells of St Peter’s Basilica and churches across Rome rang out.

Crowds of people rushed towards the square to watch the balcony of the basilica, which has been fitted out with red curtains for the first address to the world by the 267th Pope.

The new pontiff, who succeeds Argentine reformer Pope Francis, was introduced in Latin with his chosen papal name, Leo XIV.

Pope Francis died last month aged 88 after a 12-year papacy during which he sought to forge a more compassionate Church — but drew anger from many conservatives with his progressive approach.

Some 133 “Princes of the Church” from five continents — the largest and most international conclave ever — began voting on Wednesday afternoon.

Sworn to secrecy, on pain of excommunication, their only means of communicating their progress to the outside world was by sending up smoke through the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

But on Thursday afternoon just after 6:00 pm (1600 GMT) the smoke emitted was white, confirming that the Catholic Church has a new spiritual leader.

It was unknown how many ballots it took to elect the new pope, but it followed recent history in wrapping up in less than two days.

In 2005, Benedict XVI, a German theologian, was elected in four ballots and Francis, in 2013, was elected in five ballots.

While the details of the election will forever remain secret, the new pope secured at least two-thirds of votes to be elected.

Before the Cardinals were locked into the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, their dean Giovanni Battista Re urged them to choose someone able to protect the Church’s unity.

Brief History

At 69, Prevost becomes the first pope from the United States, hailing from Chicago, Illinois. His election followed a two-day conclave of cardinals, reflecting a swift consensus similar to the conclaves that selected his immediate predecessors, Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI.

A Global Churchman with Deep Roots in Latin America.
Before his elevation to the papacy, Prevost was widely regarded as a seasoned and effective Church leader with a strong missionary background. He spent over a decade in Peru, serving first in Trujillo and later as bishop of Chiclayo from 2014 until 2023. His pastoral and administrative work in Latin America is believed to have helped ease concerns among cardinal-electors about appointing a pope from a global superpower like the U.S.

Prevost also led the Augustinian Order globally for more than ten years, bringing valuable experience in managing a dispersed international religious community.

More recently, he was entrusted with one of the Vatican’s most influential roles—Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing global episcopal appointments.

He also served as President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, further cementing his global and multicultural credentials.

Respected, Calm, and Reform-Oriented
Known for his balanced demeanor and consensus-building style, Pope Leo XIV is seen as someone who achieves reform without authoritarianism. Vatican observers describe him as calm, clear-headed, and deeply committed to the Church’s mission, particularly in addressing global concerns and continuing the reforms initiated by Pope Francis.

Academic and Theological Background

Prevost studied Mathematics at Villanova University before pursuing theological studies at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.
He later earned a degree in Canon law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome and was ordained a Priest in 1982.
During his time in Peru, he taught canon law at a seminary in Trujillo, reflecting his strong academic grounding.

A Missionary at Heart
In a previous interview with Vatican News, Prevost emphasized his lifelong commitment to missionary work. “I still consider myself a missionary,” he said. “My vocation, like that of every Christian, is to proclaim the Gospel wherever one is.”

On the inclusion of women in Church governance, Prevost remarked on the real and meaningful participation of female members in the Dicastery for Bishops, noting that their input was far more than symbolic.

Pope Leo XIV, is expected to continue Pope Francis’ legacy of reform while bringing his own global perspective and pastoral sensitivity to the papacy.