Who is the First American Pope? Meet Leo XIV, the New Leader of the Catholic Church

Historic Election of the First American Pope

Vatican City: In a groundbreaking moment for the Catholic Church, Robert Prevost, a missionary with extensive experience in Peru, has been elected as the first pope from the United States in the church's 2,000-year history.

At 69 years old, Prevost, a member of the Augustinian order, has chosen the papal name Leo XIV.

In his inaugural address from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, he conveyed a message of peace, stating, “Peace be with you,” highlighting themes of dialogue and missionary work.

He donned the traditional red papal cape, a garment that his predecessor, Pope Francis, opted not to wear during his election in 2013.

Prevost was a prominent candidate for the papacy, despite historical hesitations regarding a U.S. pope due to the nation's significant geopolitical influence.

However, his dual citizenship as a Peruvian and his years of service in Peru as both a missionary and archbishop made him a suitable choice.

Pope Francis had recognized Prevost's potential as a successor, appointing him in 2023 to lead the influential office responsible for vetting bishop nominations globally, a crucial role within the church. He was also elevated to the rank of cardinal earlier this year, giving him a unique standing in the conclave.

The announcement of Prevost's election was met with jubilation in St. Peter's Square, where crowds erupted in cheers as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the conclave. The atmosphere was electric as priests crossed themselves and nuns shed tears of joy, while the crowd chanted “Viva il papa!”

With flags waving from various nations, tens of thousands gathered in anticipation, and their surprise was palpable when the senior cardinal deacon emerged to declare, “Habemus Papam!” revealing Prevost as the new pope.

He addressed the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but notably not in English.

The last pope to adopt the name Leo was Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903 and is remembered for moderating the church's approach to modernity, particularly in relation to science and politics, and for laying the groundwork for contemporary Catholic social teachings, notably through his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which focused on workers' rights and capitalism.

Earlier that day, large groups of students mingled with pilgrims and journalists in St. Peter's Square, all awaiting the outcome of the election.

Priscilla Parlante, a local Roman, expressed her excitement, saying, “The wait is marvellous!”

Pedro Deget, a 22-year-old finance student from Argentina, reflected on his family's visit to Rome during Pope Francis' tenure, expressing hope for a new pope who embodies similar values.

“Francis did well in opening the church to the outside world, but on other fronts maybe he didn’t do enough. We’ll see if the next one will be able to do more,” he remarked.

Rev. Jan Dominik Bogataj, a Slovenian Franciscan friar, voiced a more critical perspective on Francis, stating he would have voted for Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, whom many consider a strong papal candidate.

“He has clear ideas, not much ideology. He’s a direct, intelligent and respectful man,” Bogataj commented. “Most of all, he’s agile.”

Some cardinals had anticipated a swift conclave.

Historically, the conclave has required between three and 14 ballots to elect a pope. John Paul I was elected on the fourth ballot, while his successor, John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was chosen on the fifth ballot in 2013.

The cardinals commenced the secretive and centuries-old ritual on Wednesday afternoon, engaging in a ceremony more dramatic than any Hollywood production.

The scene featured bright red cassocks, Swiss Guards standing vigil, ancient Latin chants, and solemn oaths, culminating in the closing of the Sistine Chapel doors to isolate the cardinals from the outside world.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the 70-year-old secretary of state under Francis and a leading contender for the papacy, presided over the proceedings as the most senior cardinal under 80 eligible to vote.

The voting process adhered to strict church protocols.

Each cardinal inscribes their choice on a ballot that reads “Eligo in summen pontificem” — “I elect as supreme pontiff.” They approach the altar individually, declaring, “I call as my witness, Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who, before God, I think should be elected.”

The folded ballot is placed on a round plate and tipped into a silver and gold urn. Once cast, the ballots are opened one by one by three randomly selected scrutineers, who record and announce the names.

The scrutineers' results are verified by revisers, and the totals are documented on a separate sheet for preservation in the papal archives.

As each name is read, the scrutineer pierces the ballot with a needle through the word “Eligo.” All ballots are then bound together and set aside to be burned in the chapel stove with a chemical to produce the smoke.