American Cardinal Robert Prevost elected as new pope of the Catholic Church
The Vatican made a historic announcement on Thursday, revealing the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in the long history of the Catholic Church. The news came shortly after white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the cardinals’ decision.
Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti took to the balcony of St. Peter’s Square to announce Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the newly elected pope, much to the delight of the thousands of faithful gathered below. The 133 voting cardinals had spent approximately 24 hours in deliberation before reaching a decision.
Prevost, a 69-year-old Augustinian, made his first appearance as pope on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, donning the traditional red cape of the papacy. In his first address, he greeted the crowd with the words “Peace be with you” in Italian, emphasizing the importance of building bridges, promoting peace, and fostering dialogue without fear. He then switched to Spanish to reflect on his experience as a missionary and former archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru, choosing not to speak in English.
The newly elected Pope Leo XIV succeeds the late Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on April 21 after battling health issues. Prevost, whose beliefs align closely with those of his predecessor, expressed gratitude to Pope Francis in his remarks.
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Prevost is also a citizen of Peru, where he dedicated many years to missionary work and later served as an archbishop. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1977 before pursuing theological studies at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago in 1982.
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost to the significant role of overseeing bishop nominations worldwide, solidifying his prominence within the Catholic Church ahead of the conclave. This background set him apart from other cardinals and likely played a role in his election as pope.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter for Fox News Digital, specializing in national politics and major breaking news events. For tips, contact Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com or follow him on Twitter at @Hagstrom_Anders.
