For the first time in the Catholic Church’s history, cardinals have named an American to be the new pope.
Robert Francis Prevost, 69, received votes from at least 89 of the 133 cardinals in the conclave, a two-thirds majority, to become the new pontiff.
Prevost chose Pope Leo XIV as his papal name.
In his first words as pope, he told the gathered crowd: “Peace be with you.”
From the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, history’s first American pope recalled he was an Augustinian priest, but that he was above all a Christian and a bishop, “so we can all walk together.”
He spoke in Italian and then switched to Spanish, recalling his many years spent as a missionary and then archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru.
The new pope’s name was announced by the top cardinal, who uttered the words “Habemus Papam!” — Latin for “We have a pope!” — from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, revealing Prevost’s name in Latin as well as his chosen name to the cheers of the crowd gathered at St. Peter’s Square.
The announcement came after white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday shortly after 6:07 p.m. local time or 12:07 p.m. ET, signifying the election of a new pope.
The decision comes slightly more than two weeks since Pope Francis died on April 21, following a 12-year papacy.
Leo XIV was born in Chicago in 1955 to a Spanish mother and an Italian-French father who served in the Second World War.
He joined the Order of St. Augustine in September 1977 and was ordained a priest in 1982. He later joined an Augustinian mission in Peru 1985.
The late pope, Francis, had appointed Leo XIV in 2023 to serve as the head of the office which vets bishop nominations from around the world, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church.
Cardinals were sequested and bound to secrecy during a conclave, where they cast at least four votes over the course of two days for the man they wanted to become pope.
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The man chosen would have had to secure votes from at least 89 of the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave, a two-thirds majority, in order to take on the role.
Until Thursday afternoon’s white smoke, only black smoke had billowed forth from the chimney on Wednesday evening local time and Thursday morning, both to signify no pope had been elected.
Reaction pours in
Reaction began to swiftly pour in following Pope Leo XIV taking the helm of the Catholic Church.
“I join Catholics in Canada and around the world in congratulating Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost on his election as Pope,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement.
“Canadians offer best wishes to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as he begins his papacy. At a time of profound global challenges, may his pontificate be marked by wisdom, discernment, a deep commitment to common good, and dignity of all. Canada looks forward to working with His Holiness to build a world guided by solidarity, justice, and sustainability.”
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke briefly outside the Oval Office about the election, saying it was “such an honour for our country.”
“We’re a little bit surprised, but very happy, just an absolutely great honour,” Trump said. “To have the pope from the United States of America, that’s a great honour … I’m watching and they said he’s from America, I said, ‘that’s great.'”
Trump also appeared to say that the Vatican had been in communication about setting up a meeting between him and Leo XIV, saying they would “see what happens.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also congratulated Leo XIV, saying they hope to welcome him back home soon.
“Everything dope, including the pope, comes from Chicago,” he wrote in a post on X. “Congratulations to the first American Pope Leo XIV!”
An Augustinian pope
Vatican watchers said Prevost’s decision to name himself Leo was particularly significant given the previous Leo’s legacy of social justice and reform, suggesting continuity with some of Francis’ chief concerns.
“I think this pope is saying something about social justice by choosing this name, that it is going to be a priority. He is continuing a lot of Francis’ ministry,’’ said Natalia Imperatori-Lee, the chair of religious studies at Manhattan University in the Bronx.
The new pope was formerly the prior general, or leader, of the Order of St. Augustine, which was formed in the 13th century as a community of “mendicant” friars — dedicated to poverty, service and evangelization. There have been six previous Augustinian popes.
The requirements and ethos of the order are traced to the fifth century St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the theological and devotional giants of early Christianity.
The Order of St. Augustine has a presence in about 50 countries, according to its website. Its ethos includes a contemplative spirituality, communal living and service to others. A core value in their rule is to “live together in harmony, being of one mind and one heart on the way to God.”
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