New Pope elected

The newly appointed pope is Robert Prevost from the United States, marking a historic moment as the first American to hold this position. He will take the name Pope Leo XIV . This announcement followed the sighting of white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the cardinals had chosen a new leader on the second day of the conclave.

Prevost, 69, born on Sept. 14, 1955, hails from Chicago, Illinois, and brings a wealth of global experience, having dedicated much of his career to missionary work in South America and serving as a bishop in Peru. Most recently, he oversaw a significant Vatican office responsible for bishop appointments and is anticipated to continue the reforms initiated by Pope Francis.

Prevost was elected twice as the top leader of the Augustinian religious order, established in the 13th century by St. Augustine. For years, Francis had his sights set on him, relocating him from Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014 to take on the role of administrator and later archbishop of Chiclayo. He held this position, gaining Peruvian citizenship in 2015, until Francis appointed him in 2023 as the head of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, where he maintained regular communication with the Catholic leadership in a region with a significant Catholic population.

Since arriving in Rome, Prevost has maintained a discreet public presence, yet he is well-regarded among influential figures. Notably, he oversaw one of Francis's most groundbreaking reforms by including three women in the voting group responsible for bishop nominations to the pope. In early 2025, Francis further demonstrated his confidence in Prevost by elevating him to the highest rank of cardinals, indicating he could be a preferred candidate in any future conclave.