Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, making history as the first American to hold the papacy. The 69-year-old emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as Pope Leo XIV, offering a message of peace in Italian, Spanish, and Latin: “Peace be with all of you.” A native of the U.S. and longtime missionary in Peru, Prevost expressed gratitude to his former diocese, praising the “loyal people” he served.
The announcement followed white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel on the second day of conclave, signaling the cardinals had reached a decision. Crowds in St. Peter’s Square erupted as bells tolled and the new pope appeared.
President Trump swiftly congratulated the new pontiff, calling it “a Great Honor for our Country.” Pope Leo XIV also honored his predecessor, Francis, and led the crowd in prayer from the basilica loggia.
