Pope Leo XIV chosen as new leader of Catholic Church, first U.S. pontiff

After just two days of the conclave that saw the gathering of 133 cardinals from around the world, the Catholic Church has found its new Pope.

Tens of thousands of people looked on as Cardinal Robert Prevost appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica about an hour after white smoke was released, becoming the first American pontiff in history.

He’s taken on the name Leo, making him Pope Leo the Fourteenth.

Pope Leo the Fourteenth, originally from Chicago, Illinois, spent much of his career until this point as a missionary in South America.

He also recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments and used some of his first words as the new pontiff to pay tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis.

Leo is now tied as the fourth most common name chosen by popes, though the church hasn’t seen a Leo in over a century.

The former Pope Leo, Leo the XIII, served as leader from 1878 until his death in 1903, making his 25-year papacy the fourth longest in history.

He worked in Peru for a decade, and was later appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, another location in Peru, where he served from 2014 to 2023.

Pope Leo outlined what his vision is for the church moving ahead saying he wanted the Catholic Church to be defined by its ability to “build bridges,” and engage in important dialogue.

In one of his first public acts as Pope, Leo will lead the angelus on Sunday, which is a Catholic devotion that commemorates Christ’s incarnation.