New Pope is Elected, first from America

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American by birth and a missionary in Peru has been elected as the successor of Pope Francis, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo XIV would be first ever American to be the Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church in history.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who had earlier posted an AI-generated photo of himself as the pope on social media, appreciated the elevation of Cardinal Prevost as the Pope terming it as a “great honour”, and said: “To have the Pope from America is a great honour”. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance too was all in praise about the new anointment. "Millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church," Vance wrote on X. Former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden too took to social media in congratulating the new pope and wishing him good.

A huge crowd had been waiting at St Peter’s Basilica to hear the good news, chanting "Viva il Papa" - Long live the Pope. Soon after his election, the new pope appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica and waved to the cheering believers.

Prevost (69) will be the 267 th pope in the history of Roman Catholic Church, and is the first from the United States of America. He was born in Chicago in 1955 and began priestly work in1982. Prevost however had been a missionary in Latin American Peru where he last served as a cardinal for the Roman Catholic Church.

Soon after his election, Pope Leo said his first mass as the Pope and fondly spoke of his predecessor Pope Francis with these words as the public that gathered at St Peter’s, cheered: "Peace be with You”! He said: “We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us. United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together".

Prevost was born to Louis Marius Prevost of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martinez, of Spanish descent. He had his education in Chicago and in Rome before being sent to Peru for missionary works.

Pope Leo belongs to Augustinian order of the priests and after his election as the pope, donned his red papal cape, a sign that he might be traditional in approach as well, as well as follow the legacy of his predecessor, for he had a very close bonding with Pope Francis.

Prevost had been made a bishop, Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru by Pope Francis in 2014. In 2023, Bishop Prevost became an archbishop and with a few months, Pope Francis elevated him to the post of Cardinal.

Meanwhile, Peru, the place of work of Prevost, erupted in celebrations, chanting ‘God Loves Peru’

The new pope is a citizen of Peru, where he has spent much of life. Pope Leo is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian.

Earlier, 133 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican on Wednesday. Voting began on Wednesday night with two rounds, which remained inconclusive. Another three rounds of voting took place on Thursday and Cardinal Prevost is said to have obtained two-third majority required for being elected as the pope, following which white smoke flew from chimney of the Sistine Chapel into the open sky informing the people about the election of the new pope. Soon afterwards, the new pope appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica waving at the gathering.