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On May 8, 2025, white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 6:08 p.m. local time, signaling the election of the 267th Catholic Pope. Moments later, the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out across Vatican City, and the crowd erupted in cheers as the traditional Latin phrase “Habemus Papam” — “We have a pope” — echoed through St. Peter’s Square. After four rounds of voting over two days, the College of Cardinals elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new leader of the Catholic Church’s over 1.4 billion members. He has taken the papal name of Pope Leo XIV, emphasizing strength and unity in Catholic culture.
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Francis Prevost is the first pope from the United States and the first from an English-speaking country since Adrian IV in the 12th century. In 1977, he served in the Augustinian order and did missionary work in Peru for over a decade. He was ordained as a priest in 1982, quickly gaining recognition for his work on pastoral care and promotion of social justice, particularly in Latin America. As a cardinal, Prevost was deeply involved in reforming the process of appointing new bishops worldwide, selected by Pope Francis to lead the Dicastery for Bishops as Prefect in 2023. He is often described as “humble, approachable, and deeply committed to missionary evangelization”, with his personal motto being “Peace be with you,” reflecting his commitment to unity and dialogue. Pope Leo XIV speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, and can read Latin and German.
This conclave included 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80, the highest number in history. The vote reached a two-thirds majority (89+ votes), the minimum required number to elect a pope, on the fourth ballot, after just over a day of the conclave. This swift outcome aligns with recent traditions; since 1831, no conclave has exceeded four days. His first public appearance drew tens of thousands to St. Peter’s Square, where he delivered his inaugural blessing from the balcony of the Sistine Chapel. He is already scheduled to lead Mass at upcoming major events, including World Youth Day.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to focus on continuing the reforms initiated by Pope Francis, emphasizing unity, global outreach, and social justice. Among his biggest challenges will be guiding the Catholic Church through issues such as international conflicts, church unity amid ideological divisions, the legacy of sexual abuse, financial reform within the Vatican, and ongoing debates around sexuality and identity from the religious perspective.
As the white smoke fades and the cheers of St. Peter’s Square settle, a new chapter begins in the Church. As the world watches closely, Catholics everywhere are hopeful for a papacy rooted in peace, humility, and unity. In a time of division and uncertainty, his message of peace, unity, and courage echoes far beyond the walls of the Vatican.