The Cardinals gathered within the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost because the 267th Pope, who took the identify Pope Leo XIV,” Vatican Information introduced on X (previously Twitter) on Thursday, marking a brand new chapter within the management of the worldwide Catholic Church.
The election of Cardinal Prevost adopted days of intense deliberation among the many Faculty of Cardinals after the resignation of Pope Francis resulting from declining well being.
Prevost, an American-born prelate who beforehand served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, turns into the primary U.S.-born Pope in historical past — a growth that alerts each continuity and alter inside the historical establishment.
The white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel at 6:47 p.m. Vatican time, triggering celebrations in St. Peter’s Sq. the place 1000’s of trustworthy and vacationers had gathered in anticipation. Shortly afterwards, the Vatican’s senior Cardinal Deacon appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to make the historic announcement: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” (I announce to you an ideal pleasure: Now we have a Pope!)
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, was born in Chicago, Illinois, and ordained as a priest in 1982.
He’s a member of the Order of St. Augustine and has held quite a few management roles within the Catholic Church, together with bishop of Chiclayo in Peru and head of the Augustinian order globally.
Recognized for his dedication to reform, pastoral care, and episcopal accountability, Pope Leo XIV brings a wealth of worldwide expertise to the papacy.
His election comes at a time when the Catholic Church faces a number of inside and exterior challenges, together with declining attendance within the West, clergy abuse scandals, and the necessity for higher inclusivity and transparency.
Analysts see his management as a possible bridge between traditionalist and progressive factions inside the Church.
World leaders and non secular figures swiftly reacted to the information. U.S. President Donald Trump prolonged congratulations to the brand new pontiff.
Trump wrote. “It’s such an honor to comprehend that he’s the primary American Pope. What pleasure, and what a Nice Honor for our Nation. I look ahead to assembly Pope Leo XIV. It is going to be a really significant second!”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez additionally provided a public message of assist, expressing his hope that Pope Leo XIV will contribute to selling peace and human dignity throughout the globe.
“Could the pontiff assist strengthen dialogue and defend human rights in a world in want of hope and unity,” Sánchez wrote in a submit on the platform X (previously Twitter), simply minutes after the official announcement from the Vatican.
