American cardinal Robert Prevost was elected pope by the world’s cardinals on the second day of the conclave. He is the first American pontiff
Cardinal Robert Prevost, newly elected as Pope Leo XIV is seen on the Saint Peter's Basilica balcony in Vatican. Photograph: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Thu May 08 2025 - 20:43
Robert Francis Prevost has become the first clergyman from the United States to lead the Catholic Church, ending the Vatican’s long-standing opposition to the idea of a US pontiff.
The 69-year-old from Chicago has taken the papal name Pope Leo XIV, a senior cardinal announced from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on Thursday evening.
The Chicago native worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made an archbishop there and became a cardinal in 2023.
The new pope was greeted by huge cheers from the thousands who gathered in St Peter’s Square and said “may peace be with all of you,” when he made his first address from the Vatican balcony.
American cardinal Robert Prevost was elected pope by the world's cardinals on the second day of the conclave. He is the first American pontiff.
White smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel signalling that cardinals elected a new pope. Photograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images
A man holds a placard reading "Habemus Papa" (We Have a Pope) at St Peter's Square after white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel signalling that cardinals elected a new pope. Photograph: Jeff Pachoud/AFP via Getty Images
Carabinieri take position on the parvis of St Peter's basilica before the first appearance of the new pope. Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost addresses the crowd from the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica. Photograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images
The newly elected pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Cardinals gather as the newly elected pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Spectators await the appearance of the new pope in Vatican City. Photograph: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg via Getty Images
People celebrate after white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel signalling that cardinals elected a new pope during their secret conclave, at Saint Peter's Square. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/AFP via Getty Images
Members of the clergy react as they see the newly elected Pope Leo XIV making his first appearance in the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica. Photograph: Jeff Pachoud/AFP via Getty Images
A man reacts as the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost making his first appearance in the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica. Photograph: Jeff Pachoud/AFP via Getty Images
People celebrate as white smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Photograph: Riccardo De Luca/Anadolu via Getty Images
