Cardinal Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV, first US pontiff

Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday. He chose the name Leo XIV. This makes him the first U.S. pontiff.

Pope Leo appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. This happened about 70 minutes after white smoke rose from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. The smoke signified that 133 cardinal electors had chosen a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.

“Peace be with you all,” he told the cheering crowd below. French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced Prevost's election using the Latin words “Habemus Papam” (We have a pope). Tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square to hear this news.