History was made in Vatican City as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, originally from Chicago, was elected as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church. His selection, which came on the second day of the papal conclave, was officially signaled by the traditional plume of white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney — a sight that brought cheers from the crowds waiting in St. Peter’s Square.
Prevost, 69, now becomes the first pope from the United States and has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV, ushering in what many see as a significant and symbolic shift in the Church’s global leadership.
As is customary, the announcement was delivered from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The senior cardinal deacon addressed the gathering in Latin with the words: “Habemus papam” — “We have a pope.” Moments later, Pope Leo XIV stepped out to greet the faithful with a brief but powerful message: “Peace be with you all.” He explained that these were the first words spoken by Jesus after his resurrection and expressed his wish that this message of peace would settle in every heart and home.
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Prior to his rise to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV had an extensive career marked by service in Latin America. He spent many years in Peru as a missionary and later served as the bishop of Chiclayo from 2014 to 2023. His pastoral work earned him respect for being deeply in touch with the realities faced by communities far from the Vatican.
More recently, he held a vital role in Rome, overseeing the Dicastery for Bishops — a department responsible for guiding the appointment of bishops around the world. His time in that position allowed him to help shape the Church’s leadership at all levels.
Despite his deep involvement in church governance, Pope Leo XIV has remained grounded in his identity as a missionary. Reflecting on his calling, he once shared: “Like every follower of Christ, my mission is to spread the Gospel — wherever I am, that is my purpose.”
His election comes just two weeks after the death of Pope Francis. Observers within and outside the Church are now watching closely to see how Pope Leo XIV will lead — balancing continuity with his predecessor’s reforms and bringing his own global insights into a new chapter of Catholic history.
