On May 8, 2025, history was made at the Vatican as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American-born cleric from Chicago, was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Upon his election, he chose the papal name Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American to ascend to the highest office in the Catholic Church. This momentous decision came after two days of intense deliberation within the Sistine Chapel by 133 cardinal electors. The conclave reached a consensus on its fourth ballot, culminating in the appearance of white smoke from the chapel’s chimney an iconic signal that a new pope had been chosen.

The announcement of the new pontiff was made with the traditional “Habemus Papam” declaration, delivered from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti. The crowds in St. Peter’s Square erupted into cheers and prayerful silence as Pope Leo XIV stepped forward to deliver his first blessing as the spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. Dressed in white, he waved humbly and spoke briefly, emphasizing unity, peace, and pastoral care as the hallmarks of his upcoming papacy.

Before his elevation to the papacy, Robert Francis Prevost served as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a vital position that oversees the global selection of bishops and plays a key role in shaping Church leadership. His experience within the Vatican bureaucracy, combined with his reputation as a reform-minded and pastorally engaged leader, made him a strong candidate among the cardinals seeking continuity with Pope Francis’s legacy while embracing future challenges.

Prevost’s earlier work in Latin America, particularly as bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, further bolstered his profile as a champion of missionary outreach and grassroots pastoral care. He was also a prominent figure within the Augustinian order, having served as its prior general before his Vatican appointments. His cross-cultural experience and commitment to social justice, especially in impoverished and marginalized communities, are expected to inform his approach as pope.

Choosing the name Leo XIV carries symbolic weight, echoing the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, a reformer known for his advocacy of workers’ rights and engagement with the modern world. As Pope Leo XIV begins his tenure, the global Catholic Church looks to him for guidance on a range of pressing issues including clerical abuse reforms, interfaith dialogue, climate change, and growing secularism. His leadership is anticipated to reflect a balance between tradition and progressive engagement with the contemporary world.