The conclave began on May 7 and concluded today with Cardinal Robert Prevost’s election as pope after four ballots. Prevost is the first American-born elected to the papacy. He has taken the name Leo XIV.
According to the Washington Post, Rev. Thomas Reese, a U.S. priest and expert on the Vatican, stated that, “By picking the name Leo XIV, he shows he is committed to the social teaching of the church.”
Reported by AP News, Prevost is a Chicago-born missionary with a career ministering in Peru during the 1980s. After starting his career in his early 20s, he later became the bishop of Chicalayo, Peru — a small city occupied by half a million people. He was the head of the Augustinians from 2001 to 2013. The late Pope Francis invited Prevost to Vatican City in 2023 to uphold the position as a prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
Prevost appeared on St. Peter’s Basilica balcony after white smoke seeped out of the chimney from the top of the church to indicate that the votes from the 133 cardinals had been submitted. At least 90 votes were required from the cardinals to come to a conclusion for the decision.
Pope Leo XIV publicly appeared after the conclusion of the conclave around 6:00 p.m. local time in Rome, Italy.
His first words to the world as pope were “Peace be with all of you.” He proceeded to show gratitude in Spanish, Italian and Latin to his fellow cardinals for selecting him.
NBC News reported that Prevost will begin his papal duties in less than 24 hours after his election. Prevost will conduct mass on May 9 at 11:00 am local time in Vatican City to celebrate with the College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel.
American government officials have expressed excitement. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnshon also took to social media saying, “Everything dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago! Congratulations to the first American Pope Leo XIV! We hope to welcome you back home soon.”
Although Prevost is not the first pope to have lived in America, he is the first American citizen, making the election of pontiff historical.
