Vatican City, May 8, 2025 — In a historic decision, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. The announcement followed the appearance of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling that the papal conclave had successfully chosen a new pope.
Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025. His election marks a significant moment in Church history, as he becomes the first American-born pope. Born in Chicago in 1955, Leo XIV spent much of his ecclesiastical life as a missionary in Peru, where he served as a bishop and played a key role in pastoral outreach.
In 2023, he was appointed to lead the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, a critical position that bolstered his visibility within the Curia and strengthened his standing ahead of the conclave. The 2025 conclave was the largest in history, with 133 voting cardinals—many of whom were appointed by Pope Francis—reflecting the Church’s global character and diversity.
Appearing before thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV greeted the faithful with a message of peace: “Peace be with you.” His tone reflected continuity with Pope Francis’s emphasis on compassion, inclusion, and dialogue across faiths and nations.
The new pontiff is expected to carry forward reforms and focus on unity within a rapidly changing global Church.
