In one of those instant and indelible moments that shook the world and etched history, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago has now been formally elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, the first American ever to hold such a position. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV, and his election marks a turning point not only for the Vatican but for the global Church.
On May 8, 2025, white smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the masses gathered in St. Peter’s Square that the cardinals had reached a consensus. The first words to the world from a visibly moved Pope Leo XIV as he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica a few minutes later were: “Peace be with you all.”
Leo XIV was elected in a whirlwind conclave by 133 voting cardinals, each of whom was anxious to have a successor who would maintain the legacy left by Pope Francis but simultaneously infuse the Church with fresh vision. In his maiden address, Leo XIV paid homage to his predecessor, quoting Francis’ Easter message and saying, “Evil will not prevail.”
The 69-year-old pope is from Chicago but has deep global roots: for years, he served as a missionary in Peru, later its bishop of Chiclayo. He speaks fluent Spanish and possesses Peruvian citizenship. Much of Leo XIV’s ecclesiastical life was spent working outside of the U.S., further helping to sway voting cardinals historically skeptical of electing an American due to U.S. political influence.
Other positions he had held previously included being in charge of the powerful Dicastery for Bishops in the Vatican, hence a strong voice in the decision of church leadership on all continents. According to people close to the Vatican, he is calm, pragmatic, and reform-minded-the type who gets things done without wielding authority with a heavy hand.
In a vision of unity, Pope Leo XIV called Catholics to become a “missionary church” founded upon dialogue, compassion, and service. “Let us build bridges,” he said. “Let us show charity and walk together.” He then recognized his beloved Peru in Spanish, thanking the faithful there who joined him on his missionary journey and helped him forge his spiritual path. US President Donald Trump was quick to celebrate the election, calling it “a Great Honor for our Country.”
Meanwhile, Trump called the moment “very meaningful” and expressed eagerness to meet with the new pope. It was an electric response: from nuns cheering in Rome to pilgrims waving flags from across the globe.
Francesca, a Rome lawyer who raced to the square after the white smoke, encapsulated the energy thus: “It’s great – this feeling to be here with a lot of people, religious and not. All the world is watching the balcony.” The tasks ahead of Pope Leo XIV are gigantic: how to overcome global inequality, to reform Vatican bureaucracy, to guide a divided Church through all the complexities of modern life.
But for now, the moment is about hope – and history. For the very first time, the Catholic Church has an American shepherd. And the world is watching.
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