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White smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday evening, signaling the successful election of a new Pope by the 133 Cardinal electors gathered at the Vatican. Moments later, French Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti stepped onto the Loggia of Blessings at St. Peter’s Basilica and delivered the historic words: “Habemus Papam!”
The newly elected Pontiff is Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, marking a significant moment in Church history. Born on September 14, 1955, Chicago, Pope Leo XIV is the first American-born head of the Catholic Church and the Vatican City State. He succeeds Pope Francis, becoming the 267th successor to Saint Peter.
Born to parents of Ecuadorian and French descent, Prevost served as an altar boy and was ordained as a priest in 1982. Although he moved to Peru three years later, he returned regularly to the US to serve as a pastor and a prior in his home city.
Prior to his election, Pope Leo XIV served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since 2023. He previously served as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2015–2023), and was the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine from 2001 to 2013. In 2015, he became a naturalized citizen of Peru.
According to Vatican protocols outlined in Universi Dominici Gregis, the new Pope formally accepted his election and chose the name “Leo XIV.” Following tradition, he was escorted to the “Room of Tears” to don papal vestments before praying in the Pauline Chapel. He then emerged to greet the faithful and offer his first apostolic blessing Urbi et Orbi, to the city and to the world.
The election and rituals that followed underscore the solemnity and centuries-old traditions of papal succession, observed with reverence by Catholics worldwide.
Crowds erupted in applause as Pope Leo XIV appeared at the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, waving and blessing the faithful who had gathered in anticipation.
