First American Pope, Leo XIV, Ascends to Papacy
On Thursday, a historic moment unfolded in Rome as Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old from Chicago, was elected as the new pope, making him the first American to hold this position. Emerging on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Prevost...
TroibNews 
On Thursday, a historic moment unfolded in Rome as Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old from Chicago, was elected as the new pope, making him the first American to hold this position.
Emerging on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Prevost took the name Leo XIV and greeted the tens of thousands of people gathered at the Vatican. “Peace be with you all,” he said, offering “the first greetings of the resurrected Christ” and encouraging his message of peace to “enter our hearts and our families.”
Prevost has a background as a missionary in Latin America, where he dedicated a decade to serving in Trujillo, Peru, before becoming the bishop of Chiclayo. He was elevated to cardinal in 2023 by the late Pope Francis and was appointed as the head of the influential Congregation for Bishops, which oversees the appointment of most of the world’s bishops—an affiliation that placed him on several papal shortlists.
In response to Prevost's election, Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his congratulations to Pope Leo XIV. In his message, he underscored the significance of maintaining collaboration between Russia and the Vatican. “I wish Your Holiness success in fulfilling the high mission entrusted to you, as well as good health and well-being,” the message stated.
Prevost takes over from Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, a day after leading Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Francis was notable for being the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope.
This week’s conclave brought together 133 cardinal electors, with at least 89 votes required for election. Leo XIV was voted in on the second day of the conclave, continuing a recent pattern: Francis was elected after five votes, while Benedict XVI needed four.
The announcement was confirmed by a senior cardinal from the loggia of St. Peter’s with the traditional “Habemus papam!”, after which Leo XIV stepped forward to address the world.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
Emerging on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Prevost took the name Leo XIV and greeted the tens of thousands of people gathered at the Vatican. “Peace be with you all,” he said, offering “the first greetings of the resurrected Christ” and encouraging his message of peace to “enter our hearts and our families.”
Prevost has a background as a missionary in Latin America, where he dedicated a decade to serving in Trujillo, Peru, before becoming the bishop of Chiclayo. He was elevated to cardinal in 2023 by the late Pope Francis and was appointed as the head of the influential Congregation for Bishops, which oversees the appointment of most of the world’s bishops—an affiliation that placed him on several papal shortlists.
In response to Prevost's election, Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his congratulations to Pope Leo XIV. In his message, he underscored the significance of maintaining collaboration between Russia and the Vatican. “I wish Your Holiness success in fulfilling the high mission entrusted to you, as well as good health and well-being,” the message stated.
Prevost takes over from Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, a day after leading Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Francis was notable for being the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope.
This week’s conclave brought together 133 cardinal electors, with at least 89 votes required for election. Leo XIV was voted in on the second day of the conclave, continuing a recent pattern: Francis was elected after five votes, while Benedict XVI needed four.
The announcement was confirmed by a senior cardinal from the loggia of St. Peter’s with the traditional “Habemus papam!”, after which Leo XIV stepped forward to address the world.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
