Habemus papam — and he’s American!
Cardinal Robert Frances Prevost, who was born in Chicago and attended Villanova University, has been selected as the first ever pontiff from the United States.
He takes the name Pope Leo XIV.
“Peace be with you all,” were his first words to the world — before giving his first blessing from the balcony.
The election of an American to be the 267th pontiff gives the United States — with an estimated 85 million Catholics — enormous new visibility in the Holy See.
Prevost, 67, beat out perceived frontrunners from Italy as well as from Africa and Southeast Asia, where the church is growing at a much faster pace.
Pope Leo XIV stepped out onto the St. Peter’s Basilica balcony overlooking the packed square in his papal robes just before 7:30 p.m. local time Thursday to an eruption of applause, cheers, and tears from the crowd below.
Horns began blowing and drums thundered in a processional tune as the crowd began chanting Prevost’s papal name, “Leo! Leo! Leo! Leo!” as they waved flags in a scene more akin to a roaring soccer stadium than the seat of the Catholic church.
Prevost — a mathematics graduate of Villanova University outside Philadelphia — has been leading the Vatican’s bishop vetting and appointment process since 2023, which has given him a unique standing among the cardinals who were present for the conclave.
Since arriving in Rome for that position, he has helped oversee the roll out of many of Francis’ more progressive reforms – notably playing a part in allowing women to vote on bishop selections.
He also spent much of his career working in Peru – where he also holds citizenship – and was appointed to numerous leadership positions across the world by Francis, indicating the former pope long had his eye on Provost as a possible successor.
Prevost is generally known for a more reserved demeanor than Francis had, but is still adept at making himself known among peers and faithful followers.
White smoke began pouring from the Sistine Chapel chimney around 6 p.m. Thursday, signaling the College of Cardinals had chosen a successor to Pope Francis on their fourth round of voting.
Riotous applause and cheers erupted from the faithful crowd of thousands gathered at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, where eyes had been glued to the simple chimney since the secretive conclave process began just over a day ago.
Sight of the smoke caused another eruption of cheers from the crowd, while many charged through the surrounding streets of Rome to reach the square before “Habemus Papam!” — Latin for “We have a pope!” – was declared from the basilica balcony and the new pope was revealed.
Before making his appearance, Prevost donned in traditional white papal vestments in the Room of Tears — a small space next to the Sistine Chapel that supposedly got its name from the emotion felt by the new pope in the first moments after his selection.
He earned at least the two-third majority votes required to be named – meaning at least 89 of the 133 cardinals who joined the conclave voted in their favor.
Prevost’s appointment comes just over three weeks after Pope Francis, 88, died on April 21 after a lengthy bout with respiratory illness culminating in a stroke and heart failure.
This vote was relatively speedy, though not unprecedented for modern times – with the last three popes all having been selected on the second day of conclave.
The last ten conclaves averaged about three days, while none in the modern era have gone longer than five.
