Robert Prevost becomes first American pope and takes name Leo XIV

American Robert Prevost was announced Thursday as the new pope, taking the papal name Leo XIV.

He will be the first American pope. Leo waved to the crowd assembled in St. Peter’s Square, greeting them with the words “Peace be with all of you.”

Born in Chicago, to a French father, the 69-year-old has spent much of his clerical life abroad in Peru, and is fluent in Spanish and Italian. He was expected to garner support from Latin American and U.S. cardinals. He has been president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since 2023, the same year he became a cardinal.

He had shown particular attention to the marginalized and migrants in Peru, which was appreciated by the former pope, Francis, who died last month.

However, he has also been accused of failing to punish historic abuse by priests.

Congrats from Trump

The white smoke had emerged earlier Thursday from a specially installed ceremonial chimney to announce that the Catholic Church had chosen its next leader after intense discussions in the Sistine Chapel.

Bells rang out in St Peter’s Square and thousands of pilgrims, tourists and curious Romans looked on as the fabled white smoke streamed into the sky, indicating that the 133 sequestered cardinals had voted by a two-thirds majority for a new clergyman to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

Pope Francis died after a stroke on Easter Monday, aged 88, leaving behind a church riven with divisions. His death kicked off fraught discussions between cardinals over a candidate who they hope can unite the church.

U.S. President Donald Trump said: “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

/www.politico.eu