The Vatican has officially announced the election of Pope Leo XIV, marking a historical milestone as he becomes the first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church.
The announcement followed the sighting of white smoke emerging from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday.
Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti conveyed the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost to the thousands of believers gathered in St. Peter’s Square after a deliberation period of approximately 24 hours among the 133 voting cardinals within the Sistine Chapel.
At the age of 69, Prevost, an Augustinian, made his inaugural appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica adorned in the traditional red papal cape, which his predecessor, Pope Francis, opted not to wear after his election in 2013.
Prevost commenced his papacy with the greeting, “Peace be with you,” delivered in Italian, and articulated a message focused on fostering bridges, peace, and dialogue “without fear.”
He subsequently addressed the audience in Spanish, reflecting on his experiences as a missionary and his tenure as the archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru, without providing remarks in English.
Prevost succeeds the late Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on April 21 due to health complications. Prevost’s viewpoints align closely with those of Pope Francis, and he expressed gratitude to his predecessor during his remarks.
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost to the Vatican to oversee the significant office responsible for vetting bishop nominations globally, a position recognized as one of considerable influence within the Catholic Church.
Consequently, Prevost entered the conclave with a level of prominence that was unparalleled among his fellow cardinals.
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost is also a citizen of Peru, where he resided for several years as a missionary before serving as an archbishop.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Villanova University, which he obtained in 1977, prior to taking his solemn vows and pursuing theological studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1982.
