White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney Thursday evening, signaling a historic moment for the Catholic Church as Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the first American pope in history. The 69-year-old Augustinian priest, who has spent much of his career ministering in Peru, will lead the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics as Pope Leo XIV.
The announcement came at 6:07 p.m. local time when white smoke appeared above St. Peter’s Basilica, indicating the cardinals had reached the required two-thirds majority of at least 89 votes from the 133 participating cardinal electors.
“Peace Be With You”: Pope Leo XIV’s First Words
Tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers as the new pontiff appeared on the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. Priests made the sign of the cross and nuns wept as crowds chanted “Viva il papa!” while waving flags from around the world.
In his first public address, Pope Leo XIV greeted the faithful with “Peace be with you.” Speaking first in Italian and then switching to Spanish, he acknowledged his Augustinian roots and his years as a missionary in Peru:
“I am an Augustinian priest, but a Christian above all, and a bishop, so we can all walk together.”
Who Is Robert Prevost? From American Missionary to Pope
Pope Leo XIV brings unique credentials to the papacy:
- Previous Role: Head of the Vatican’s powerful Office of Bishops since 2023
- Religious Order: Former Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine
- Missionary Experience: Extensive ministry in Peru, later becoming Archbishop of Chiclayo
- Age: 69 years old
As the former leader of the Order of St. Augustine, Pope Leo XIV comes from a religious community dedicated to poverty, service, and evangelization. The order traces its spiritual roots to St. Augustine of Hippo, one of early Christianity’s theological giants.
U.S. President Donald Trump quickly responded to the historic election on his Truth Social platform:
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
The papal election concluded relatively quickly, with white smoke appearing on just the second day of voting. The conclave began Wednesday afternoon when the cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel for their secretive, centuries-old ritual.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State under Pope Francis and a leading papal contender himself, presided over the conclave as the most senior cardinal under 80 years old.
The voting process followed strict protocols:
- Cardinals wrote their choice on ballots inscribed with “Eligo in summen pontificem” (“I elect as supreme pontiff”)
- Each approached the altar individually to cast their vote
- Three randomly selected “scrutineers” counted and verified the results
- White smoke signaled the successful election once the 89-vote threshold was reached
While there are never official papal candidates, several cardinals had been considered “papabile” (pope-material) before the conclave:
Pietro Parolin (Vatican Secretary of State)
- Luis Tagle (nicknamed the “Asian Francis”)
- Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Congo)
- Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem)
Pope Leo XIV’s election marks a significant shift in Church leadership, representing the first American pontiff in two millennia of Catholic history. His background as both an Augustinian missionary and recent Vatican insider suggests a potential balance between pastoral focus and administrative experience.
Many Catholics hope the new pope will address key challenges facing the Church, including:
- Declining membership in Western nations
- Clergy shortages and reform initiatives
- Ongoing abuse scandals and accountability measures
- Interfaith relations and global humanitarian efforts
