On the second day of the papal conclave, and 17 days since the death of Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals has decided on the next pope: Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American who will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
BREAKING: Cardinal Robert Prevost is elected as Pope Leo 14th
— Michael Haynes 🇻🇦 (@MLJHaynes) May 8, 2025
Cardinal Mamberti has made the announcement https://t.co/9CQuTOhGHa pic.twitter.com/epFxEYANN0
Prevost was not amongst the names being bandied about on social media in the days leading up to and during the conclave; one site did foresee an American being selected, however, and prepared a detailed bio on Prevost:
Born in Chicago in 1955, Prevost holds degrees from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
In 1985, Prevost joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985, becoming part of the religious order inspired by St. Augustine that seeks to find a balance of "love and learning." Augustinian friars lead semi-monastic lives and are engaged in a range of pursuits, such as education or prison work.
At age 30, Prevost went to work in Peru, serving there until 1999, with a brief stint back in Chicago in 1987 to work as pastor for vocations and director of missions for its Augustinian province.
During his early years in Peru, Prevost wore a number of hats, including teaching in the diocesan seminary, serving as judge in a church court and leading a parish on the outskirts of the city of Trujillo.
In 1999, Prevost was elected the head of the Augustinians' Chicago-based province. And then in 2001, he tapped as prior general of the worldwide order, which he led until 2013. During that time, he was based in Rome but spent most of his time on the road and in the air, visiting the nearly 50 countries where the Augustinian order is present.
In 2014, Francis sent him back into the mission field, naming him bishop of Chiclayo, in northern Peru, where he served until the pope called him to Rome again for full-time service in the Roman Curia in 2023.
The infamous white smoke, which signals a new pope has been selected, began billowing from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at approximately 6:07 p.m. Rome time. Those gathered in nearby St. Peter's Square erupted in cheers at the sight of the smoke, and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica began ringing as Catholics celebrated news that the successor to Pope Francis—and, ultimately, Pope Peter—would soon be named.
White Smoke. Habemus Papam. We have a Pope pic.twitter.com/glXeqKf3cQ
— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) May 8, 2025
The selection of Pope Leo XIV came on the fourth ballot; black smoke emerged earlier Thursday when the conclave failed to elect a new pope on the third ballot.
The official announcement was made from the central window of St. Peter's Basilica, called Loggia of Blessings, by French Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti. With the Latin words "Habemus papam!"—"We have a pope!—Mamberti declared:
"Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!" ("I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope!").
Pope Leo XIV then offered his "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.
The Urbi et Orbi Blessing, imparted by the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV. By the willful grace and intent of the Pope, a plenary indulgence is granted to all the faithful present and those united spiritually, who receive his blessing by radio, television and social media. pic.twitter.com/6mVXWqSXFM
— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) May 8, 2025
RELATED: Death of a Pope: Catholic Cardinals Prepare for High-Stakes Succession—Will Trump Be a Spoiler?
You can view his full address here:
🚨Newly-chosen — and first-ever American — Pope, Leo XIV, addresses the world for the first time pic.twitter.com/072E6syOJ0
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 8, 2025
To become pope, a candidate must receive two-thirds plus one of the votes; once a candidate reaches that threshold, he is asked by the most senior, by age, Cardinal present: "Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?" After the pope-elect responds in the affirmative, he is asked: "By what name do you wish to be called?" and chooses his papal name.
The ballots are then burned, and the white smoke is sent forth from the chimney, indicating to the world that a new pope has been selected. At that point, the conclave is then declared to be ended, and the new pope then proceeds to the adjoining "Room of Tears."
Here's a bit more on what happens in the Room of Tears:
There, with the help of the Master of Liturgical Celebrations, he removes the cardinal's vestment, puts on one of the three prepared papal garments, and spends a few minutes in prayer."
The new Pope Leo XIV is the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
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