Pope Leo XIV Becomes First American Pontiff

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected the 267th pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. The 69-year-old Illinois native is the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, following the death of Pope Francis. His election was announced Thursday, May 8, after two days of conclave deliberations in the Sistine Chapel.

Prevost, ordained in 1982, spent much of his career in Peru, where he became a naturalized citizen and held various clerical roles. He later served as Bishop of Chiclayo and was appointed to key Vatican positions by Pope Francis, including Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.