An American is now leading the Roman Catholic Church and more than 2 billion Catholics around the world.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, of Chicago was elected on the second day of the papal conclave at the Vatican, as announced just after 7 p.m. Rome time Thursday. Nearly an hour earlier, white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the conclave, signaling that cardinals had reached a majority vote to select a successor to Pope Francis.

The introduction was preceded with an announcement featuring the Latin phrase Habemus papam (We have a pope), followed by the new pontiff’s identity and the name he has taken for his papacy. In a stunning development, the announcement went for Prevost, who takes the name of Pope Leo XIV.

Speaking from the main balcony in St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo paid tribute to Pope Francis, thanked the cardinals for electing him and stressed the importance of being charitable as a united church, while offering a solemn blessing to the entire world.

In his first address as pontiff, he said he envisioned the Catholic Church as an entity that “builds bridges and dialogue.”

“Always seeking peace and justice. Seeking to work with men and women who are faithful to Jesus Christ without fear to proclaim the gospel to be missionaries,” he said. 

Prevost served as the Archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru, before being appointed by Pope Francis in 2023 to lead the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, the office responsible for overseeing the appointment of bishops worldwide. Pope Francis made Prevost Cardinal in the Consistory in 2024 and assigned him the Diaconate of Saint Monica.

He became a Peruvian citizen in 2015 after serving there as a missionary and then as an archbishop. He is known for his deep ties to Latin American and his leadership within the Augustinian order. 

While speaking in Spanish, he addressed his “beloved diocese” in Peru, “where a faithful people accompanied their bishop to share their faith with him, and who have done so much to be a faithful church.”

Reacting to Pope Leo being the first American-born pope, President Donald Trump said it was “a great honor for our country.”

“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,” Trump posted. “I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

Celebrating the historic election, Mayor Eric Adams called it “a historic day for Catholics across America and the entire world.”

“With the selection of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the first American in history to serve as Pope, the Vatican has uplifted the voices of Catholics across the five boroughs and our entire country,” said Adams. “New York City is a global city, bringing together Catholics from all around the world, and I know that given his international service across the globe, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will bring an inclusive perspective to the papacy.”

The ancient ritual behind closed doors to choose the new Bishop of Rome saw 133 cardinals locked into the Sistine Chapel to make the secretive, prayerful deliberation. Only cardinals under 80 could vote in the conclave that elects a new pope — a rule established in 1970 by Pope Paul VI to encourage the selection of younger, forward-looking candidates.

At the time of Pope Francis’ death, there were 252 members of the College of Cardinals. 135 were eligible to vote in the conclave, but two dropped out due to illness.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, leader of the Archdiocese of New York, was part of the conclave Thursday. 

Following the majority vote, ceremonial proceedings continued inside the Sistine Chapel. The senior-ranking cardinal first asked the pope-elect in Latin if he accepts the role. After saying yes, he was then asked what name he would like to use as pope, according to Vatican News.

A Vatican official writes down his acceptance and chosen name in an official document, with two witnesses present. At that moment, the conclave officially ends. Vatican staff are then allowed to enter and begin discussing any urgent matters with the new pope.

Before appearing to the public, the new pope steps into the “Room of Tears,” where he changes out of his cardinal robes and into papal garments. He takes a few moments for private prayer. He then returns to the Sistine Chapel for a brief ceremony and later stops in the Pauline Chapel for silent prayer before the official announcement. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated shortly with further information and local reaction.