First ever US Pope Leo XIV elected on second day of conclave

In a historic occasion for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was named the next Bishop of Rome after cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church gathered for a two-day conclave.

In a historic occasion for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was named the next Bishop of Rome after cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church gathered for a two-day conclave.

Cardinal Robert Prevost took the papal name of Leo XIV.

He served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and has become the first U.S. and North American Pope in history.

Prevost is 69 years old and was born in Chicago, Illinois, who most recently served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since 2023.

The announcement of Pope Leo XIV was made from the Loggia of Blessings of St. Peter’s Basilica by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti who declared the Latin phrase: “Habemus Papam” — “We have a pope.”

The conclave featured 133 cardinal-electors and concluded swiftly with the College of Cardinals reaching the required two-thirds majority for a new Bishop of Rome.

The decision was confirmed as white smoke billowed from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City on Thursday.

The Pope Leo XIV appeared through the window of St. Peter’s Basilica to speak to the faithful public and deliver his first apostolic blessing.

Pope Leo XIV is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine

Pope Leo XIV will lead over 1.3 billion Catholics, including nearly 11 million Catholics in Canada, according to the 2021 census.

Catholic pilgrims and onlookers gathered in St. Peter’s Square, many of whom waited in anticipation and prayer since the conclave began.

The quick election of the new Pope follows two popes in a row who have been elected on the second day of the conclave, the previous being Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Francis was pope for nearly 12 years and passed away on April 21, 2025.