Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old cleric born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, has been elected as the 267th pope, becoming the first American to ascend to the papacy.
White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel this afternoon, signaling the end of the conclave that began on May 7, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025.
The announcement, greeted by jubilant crowds in St. Peter’s Square, marks a historic moment for the Roman Catholic Church, with Prevost’s global experience and humble roots shaping expectations for his leadership.
Cardinal Prevost, appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023, emerged as a unifying figure among the 133 cardinal electors from 70 countries.
His election breaks centuries of precedent, as no American had previously been chosen as pope, partly due to the United States’ geopolitical influence and polarised politics.
Prevost’s extensive work in Peru, where he served as a missionary for two decades and became a naturalised citizen, positioned him as a global candidate rather than a strictly “American” one.
Fluent in Spanish, Italian, and English, and holding a doctorate in canon law, Prevost is seen as a bridge-builder in a diverse Church.
Born in 1955 on Chicago’s South Side, Prevost grew up in the parish of St. Mary of the Assumption, where his faith was nurtured. A childhood friend recalled his early sense of purpose: “As a teenager, he was clear about his calling.”
Ordained in 1982 at age 27 as an Augustinian priest, Prevost served as a missionary in Peru, later becoming a bishop and archbishop there. His time in Peru was not without challenges, as allegations of covering up sexual abuse in his diocese surfaced, though these were denied by diocesan officials.
As Pope Leo XIV begins his ministry, his first public Mass in the coming days will offer clues to his vision for a Church at a crossroads. From Chicago’s South Side to the Vatican, Prevost’s journey embodies a new chapter for Catholicism.
