Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago-born Augustinian friar, has been elected the 267th successor to St. Peter, becoming the first American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.
The former Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, emerged from the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening, signaling his election with white smoke billowing from the chimney. He appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at 7:15 p.m. Rome time, greeted by cheers from thousands of pilgrims.
“Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward,” Pope Leo XIV said in Italian and Spanish, calling for peace and dialogue.
As pope, Leo XIV will lead a church growing globally, with its center shifting from Europe to Africa and Asia. He’ll face challenges including ongoing wars, migration, and the persecution of Christians worldwide.
The conclave, which began Tuesday, saw 133 cardinals under age 80 vote for the new pope. Prevost, who headed the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops, was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.
Archbishop W. Shawn McKnight of Kansas City, Kansas, said he was “floored, stunned and full of hope” for Prevost’s election.
Pope Leo XIV takes over after a period of reflection among cardinals following Francis’ death on April 21. The new pope will decide how to move forward on synodality, Francis’ legacy project aimed at reforming church structures.