By CARDINAL Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
He will be known as Pope Leo XIV, making history as the first American pontiff.
Pope Leo XIV
The announcement followed the traditional signal of white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the conclave.
Pope Leo XIV, aged 69, is originally from Chicago, Illinois. He brings extensive international experience to the role, having spent much of his career as a missionary in South America.
He served for over a decade in Trujillo, Peru, and was later appointed bishop of Chiclayo. Since 2015, he has held Peruvian citizenship. Most recently, he led the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops.
Upon his election, Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to greet thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square.
The square was awash with flags from around the world, reflecting the global significance of the moment.
The conclave included 133 voting cardinals. A two-thirds majority was required to elect the new pope.
The voting process, conducted in secrecy, culminated with the traditional Latin proclamation, “Habemus Papam” — “We have a Pope.”
Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue the reformist legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis. In a past interview, he said, “I still consider myself a missionary. My vocation, like that of every Christian, is to be a missionary, to proclaim the Gospel wherever one is.”
The papal inauguration is expected to take place in the coming days.
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