He's the first pope from the United States.
VATICAN CITY - The Catholic Church has elected the new pope.
The cardinals broke tradition and elected Chicago-born missionary Robert Prevost, making him the first pope from the United States and the 267th pontiff to lead the Catholic Church.
Prevost is 69-years-old and he's a member of the Augustinian religious order. He's also a Peruvian citizen and has lived in Peru for years.
He officially took the name Leo XIV yesterday. He addressed onlookers from from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where he uttered words of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization.
He has already celebrated his first Mass with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel and he is expected to deliver his first noon blessing on Sunday.
Pope Leo could also be travelling to Turkey at the end of the month to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. Pope Francis had been invited before his passing on April 21st, 2025.
I announce to you a great joy;
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 8, 2025
we have a Pope:
The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord,
Lord Robert Francis
Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Prevost
who has taken the name Leo XIV.
Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti announces that the Cardinals have elected Cardinal Robert… pic.twitter.com/u3lDDlk1L4

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