Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was chosen as the 267th Pope elected by 133 cardinals locked inside the Sistine Chapel on the second day of their conclave — a process that has been in the cultural zeitgeist recently due to the Oscar-nominated movie of the same name starring Ralph Fiennes.
The new pontiff has taken the name Leo XIV and will be the first American pope in history.
Speaking in Italian,
His predecessor Pope Francis, birth name Jorge Maria Bergoglio, appointed 80% of the cardinals who voted to elect one of them as the next pope. Most of Bergoglio’s appointees are younger and more racially and geographically diverse than the men they replaced, and many appear to be far more progressive than he was.
At around 6:15 p.m. local time in Rome, white smoke emitted from the Sistine Chapel, meaning that a new pope has been elected. In order to win the conclave, the new pope needed to get 89% of the vote from 133 cardinals. Traditionally, the pope is revealed when a top cardinal emerges on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica and says, “Habemus papam!,” Latin for “We have a pope!” The new pope’s birth name is then read in Latin and their papal name is revealed. They will then make their first appearance as pope.
Pope Francis died on April 21 at 88 years old. He was the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church, and during his 12 years as pope, tried to position the institution to become more inclusive.
President Donald Trump congratulated Prevost on his election. “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!” the 78-year-old said in a statement on Truth Social.
Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, OSA, has been elected as the new Bishop of Rome, and has taken the name Pope Leo XIV. The first American Pope pic.twitter.com/4Vi6StJNgU
— KIGALI DAILY NEWS (@kigalidailynews) May 8, 2025
