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Robert Prevost, first US pope, appears on the balcony as Pope Leo XIV

Published 11:47 am Thursday, May 8, 2025

By Tribune News Services

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Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter’s Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on Thursday. Robert Francis Prevost was elected the first pope from the United States, the Vatican announced. A moderate who was close to Pope Francis and spent years as a missionary in Peru, he becomes the Catholic Church’s 267th pontiff, taking the papal name Leo XIV. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025. Robert Francis Prevost was on Thursday elected the first pope from the United States, the Vatican announced. A moderate who was close to Pope Francis and spent years as a missionary in Peru, he becomes the Catholic Church's 267th pontiff, taking the papal name Leo XIV. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

ROME — Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, of the United States has been elected leader of the Catholic Church and will be called Pope Leo XIV.

The leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics appeared on the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Thursday.

He was elected by the secret meeting of cardinals, known as the conclave, in the Sistine Chapel, having secured votes from two-thirds of the eligible electors.

The successful election was indicated by white smoke billowing from a chimney set up on the chapel and the peal of bells from St Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Leo XIV succeeds Francis, who died on Easter Monday.

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